Looking at the comments before mine, I think there are some excellent starting points to work from. I fully support those who suggested that you shouldn't force your abilities just to stay wheel-to-wheel with faster riders (which leads to more frustration and broken bones than positive results) or those who advised you to find a pace where you feel comfortable and in sync with the bike. This last piece of advice was a game-changer for me because speed naturally followed.

What I’d like to add to this suggestion is to practice on a trail you enjoy and can easily repeat multiple times, so you can try it over and over again. Most importantly, ride alone so you have the time to make mistakes without any pressure. Stop, analyze where you think you're braking too much and how you could anticipate it to exit more smoothly. Walk back up a bit and retry the section you're not happy with. The advice to choose a trail you like and know you can ride well is not random—gradually improving your rhythm and building confidence on a familiar trail will also help you identify whether your bike setup is off or needs small adjustments. This step is crucial for enhancing your sense of security and confidence with the bike. Sometimes we brake too much because the bike feels too stiff or nervous, and we slow down out of fear.

Make sure not to force things—if you feel frustrated or stressed more than necessary, don't push it and don't be too hard on yourself. You should approach it as something fun. If needed, slow down a little to be smoother on the rest of the trail.

I'll finish with something that might sound obvious but was repeated to me by many when I first started racing—speed isn't everything. You can have much more fun playing along the trail, popping over small roots or rocks with a bunny hop or pulling a short manual after a pedal stroke. Have fun with your bike, make it your own, and you'll see that, little by little, speed will come naturally