The LT is definitely two distinct trails , the far easier southern section combined with the AT and the northern section that exists out of shear cussedness of the GMC. That SOBO 3 or 4 mile warm up hike via the Journeys End trail and the stretch from the border to RT 105 definitely gives a hiker a bit of false confidence for what is to come and I expect that tends to discourage folks once they cross Rt 105 where the real fun begins. Given the OP is from Florida I expect there aren't a lot of options for training in similar conditions. Even the southern AT isn't training for Northern VT.