Everglades Challenge Preparation

Coming into checkpoint #1 in 2005

There are 2 major preparations needed for a WaterTribe Everglades Challenge, mental and physical (not counting gear). They probably should be connected, but they aren’t, not for me this year anyway.

I’m always mentally prepared. I can’t imagine anything more fun than getting to paddle. And paddling for 7 days, in Florida, is a WOW. I don’t care that it’s pretty non-stop, 18 hr days, hard, exhausting, etc…, it’s paddling, and I love it.

This year I’ve had some trouble with the physical preparation. There just wasn’t enough time to train the way I would have liked, or have done in the past. My longest paddle since October is 20 miles; most weekends I’ve been paddling twice, two 15s, or a 15 and 20. Previous years I’d have done some back-to-back 30’s or 35’s. The first days’ goal is always to try and get to Checkpoint #1 which is a bit over 60 miles, so that’s a bit tough.

It’s not just finding time to paddle, worse, I’ve been pretty slack in the cross training department too; meaning none. Life’s been really busy and full of stress for me these past months. I’m over weight and out of shape.

But, as I said, I’m mentally prepared and that’s the most important. I know it’s going to be physically harder, so I see that as more mental challenge, overcoming all that hurt. I can do that. And as I keep telling myself, “how hard can it be, you just sit on your butt and swing your arms” :)

Other blogs writing about their preparation for the EC include The Wild Side and ThereAndBackAgain.