For me, it would have been to be in better shape so I could spend more time exploring the towns I toured. I managed to do more of that towards the end of my first tour. But early on, I had grossly overestimated what my average speed for the day would be. I was touring on a limestone trail, about 40 miles a day, fully loaded.
One thing I did do right was vary my overnight stays. The first two nights were camping, the third night in a bed-and-breakfast, and then the next two nights camping. The last night was in a cabin which allowed me to get my gear ready for the train ride home.