experienced how?
The ballades are some of Chopin's masterpieces, containing elements of the waltzes, etudes (techincally formidable etc), nocturnes (lyrical and longing), scherzos, etc.
the best prep for these big beefy pieces is to get comfortable with the smaller ones i.e. play an etude a waltz, a mazurka, a nocturne, etc., also be able to maybe perform sets of them back to back to equal approximately the time it would take to play through No 1, i.e. be able to play about 9-11 minutes music in a single performance/sitting.
other than that i can't think of how much more preactical advice could be given, i dont think you need to play certain pieces befor you play it just have a good musical instinct and musicality and a technique that is developed enough that the challenges of the work do not impede the flow of the music and allow you to effortless express yourself and what you interpret Chopin wanted to bring out.