San Sebastian the Serendipitous

For the past couple weeks I have been trying to get together a list of the top Spin classes in Orlando. The topic seemed like a great fit for an Examiner.com article and besides, how hard could it be to convince gyms to let me provide them with free PR? Well, I still think it is a great idea, but apparently, free PR makes some people nervous. Luckily, there have been exceptions, like Fitness Partners in Altamonte Springs. After speaking with the owners and filling them on the details, they invited me to come in for a Spin class with one of their top instructors.

A few days later I set out, happily anticipating making progress on my article and getting some great cardio at the same time. Confident in my navigation skills, I cruised down I-4 psyching myself up for an intense Spin session. Exiting off at Altamonte Drive, I began looking out for a “Fitness Partners” sign. I looked, and looked, and well, you can see where this is going. Needless to say I did not make it to class. After quickly moving through the 5 stages of acceptance, I reluctantly began to head home.

“What’s this?” I said to myself, “San Sebastian Trailhead?” Interest piqued, I pulled off the road and parked at a nearby strip-mall. I walked down the sidewalk and followed the signs, turning ostensibly towards the San Sebastian trail. As it would seem, my navigation skills were not just absent, they were sucked into a worm-hole and shot into an alternate universe. For the second time that day I did not “make it to class”.

Fortunately, that’s not the end of the story. What I did find, what I was NOT looking for, ended up being quite delightful. An alternate trail by the name of Wekiwa opened up before me and I decided to give it a shot.

Breaking into a comfortable pace, I trotted through wooded thickets and cool breezes. Passing abundant flora and fauna I found myself spontaneously composing Haiku (Inch worm on your silk, Chillin' like it ain’t no thang, neon green larvae) and reflecting upon the opulent beauty of nature.

That is, until I exited the back end of the trail and was unceremoniously thrust into a cacophony of cars, construction, and concrete. Contrasts give clarity and this one made me realize that I needed a little more “green time”. Deciding to backtrack rather than to navigate through civilization, I returned to the wilderness, if but for a few short miles.

On the way back I jogged beneath the shaded groves, past a kid on a Spiderman bike, and through painful chaffing. I made it back to my car sweaty but invigorated. This wasn't how I planned on spending my morning, but as far as unexpected detours go, I'd say that I ended up exactly where I needed to be.

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About Tony Fed

Tony is the host of the Paleo Magazine Radio podcast, author of "Paleo Grilling: A Modern Caveman's Guide to Cooking with Fire", and Cofounder of Powerful PT, an innovative information resource for Fitness Professionals. He has appeared on numerous local and national television and radio broadcasts and regularly hosts healthy cooking workshops and informational lectures. He is also a full-time Personal Trainer and Wellness Consultant who lives in Jacksonville Florida with his wife Jamie.