Off Season Does Not Mean Off Training
Why hiking the Florida Trail keeps me conditioned long before paddle season returns
The Hike That Set the Tone
Lorraine and I headed out this past Sunday to cover another stretch of the Florida Trail in Freeport. We usually settle into a ten mile rhythm without much effort, but the heat showed up early and her dogs started slowing down before we even hit our stride. We shifted the plan, cut it to seven miles and kept moving. Adjusting the distance never bothers me because the point of off season training is to stay consistent rather than chase a specific number.
What Florida Gave Us
The trail still delivered the kind of scenery that makes these miles worth it. Spring fed creeks ran cold and clear, and certain sections felt more like walking through a rainforest than anything tied to North Florida. A light rain settled in with thunder rolling in the distance, and the temperature dropped just enough to make the miles feel calm instead of grueling. The dogs recovered when the air cooled and the trail became that quiet kind of beautiful you cannot fake.
A Mid-Hike Pause
There was a small campsite sat just off the trail, the kind you would miss if you were rushing. I stopped anyway because there was a logbook tucked inside the mailbox, and I have made a habit of writing in every one I come across when hiking. Mindfulness is not always sitting still, and sometimes just stopping to do something as simple as this brings your mind back into the moment. I also think it’s fun reading what people write in the logbooks, and I hope when people read my entries that I make them smile.
Why Hiking Works When I Am Off the Water
This time of year always reminds me why hiking is my favorite way to stay conditioned when I am not paddling. Long stretches on uneven ground build strength and stability that carry directly into my stroke once I am back on the water. These hikes also give me room to experiment with hydration and nutrition without the structure of race training. By the time the season starts again, the systems are tested, the legs are stronger, and the engine is already warm.
We Plan to Road trip this Winter, too
We already have plans to take this into winter with more miles, more trails and a few out-of-state trips. There will be colder hikes and even some skiing worked in because the goal is simple. Stay moving, stay adaptable and stay ready, so the return to paddling never feels like starting from zero. Seven miles, ten miles, whatever the day gives me, it all stacks. Off season training is only pointless if you stop doing it.
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