Unfortunately, I did not maintain the fitness or weight I got to back in 2010. However, this year, I have a late start but a great tag in Wyoming in a unit I have never stepped foot into. Unfortunately my spring and early summer have been way, way too busy and I didn't get motivated any where near early enough. (Yes, I am kicking myself) However, I still have my tag. I'm going to hunt elk, I have been hitting it hard for three weeks now and am already starting to feel the effects. I know I will have to rely more on my calling skills than my conditioning but at least I should be able to get around some.
My question for you guys who know more than I is am I better off hitting it every day or every other day. I have been getting about 5 good workouts a week for the past three now. My legs, however, are struggling to recover. This morning I did a 10 mile ride on a cheap and heavy mountain bike with some hills. Did the same thing on Monday and then a 2 mile hike with hills on Tuesday. My legs were really dead yesterday and struggled some this morning.
I leave for Wyoming on September 15th so I have less than 2 months so what do you think is my best approach? Every day but doing different things or every other day. I can really feel the bike working my legs and my 10 mile loop with the hills takes me almost an hour so I know I'm getting some good cardio. I'm enjoying the bike and my dog loves it when I hike the hills so I think those are going to be my primary activities between now and September.
Other than the "You should have started earlier" comments, I welcome your input.
For anyone who doesn't know what "Lineman League" means, here is part my original post from 2010
"When I was in high school our football team had its own special PE class.
On Wednesdays coach gave us a break from the weights to play basketball. The quarterbacks, receivers and other "glory boys" (otherwise inaccurately known as "skilled positions") gravitated to one court while us lineman went to the other. The glory boys played something that looked pretty similar to the real thing. In fact several of them started on the varsity BBall team as well.
Lineman league, however, was a very different thing. In lineman league there were really only two rules: No head shots, and no crotch shots and even those rules went out the window on some days depending on the mood of certain individuals and how closely the coach was watching.
Anyway, that is a long introduction to a new series of threads I think we need around here.
I think we need a "Last Minute Lineman League Fitness Club" series of threads for those of us who aren't going to run any triathlons or spend much time lying around at the pool or the beach because we afraid we might have hairy man boobs or be self conscious about our extra spare tire.
I know some of who belong in our group post on the X number of weeks left what have you done threads, but I'm thinking this would be a great place for the many guys in my waist size."
Am I better off to keep hitting it hard everyday, or I am better off going to the hills every other day and doing something else on the "off" days. Currently, I hit it hard at least 6 days a week and usually do something light on my day off. (Push mow the lawn, which is several acres, or play a round of golf walking)
I still battle through some leg stiffness if I hit the incline hard with a loaded pack and wonder if I am better off taking the day after that off...
Yeah...in 2010 I was hunting GMU 39 in CO and motivated. Lost 30 lbs down to 200 and flash forward to 2013......I'm 250 and haven't done much of squat to get ready for this year's muzzleloader hunt at 10,600'. I suck. I know. I know better. I got lots of excuses. None of them matter.
I need to get motivated and make the best of this year but more importantly make that permanent lifestyle change to get the weight off, keep it off, eat better all the time and maintain.
First I'm gonna finish this Torpedo Extra IPA......
I have lot of leg problems, primarily severe shin splints when easing back into running. In fact, 2010 was one of the first year I was able to get into serious running every day for an hour+ at a time and avoided the pain.
Stretching helped a ton. Staying off concrete helped a ton. Good shoes helped also. Not pushing too hard too early and getting rest was also key. You only have so much time left now. Don't make the mistake of cramming all you can fitness wise into that time at the risk of injury or burn out. That is my suggestion. Even just walking regularly for an hour or more each day is going to help you at this point so take some off/light days and just walk.....really fast. :^D
Good Hunting Rob!
Been trying to stay in shape throughout the year, but have found I get in a rut doing the same routine and the body adapts and the workout doesn't give the same results it used to. Have discovered I need to change things up to maintain and increase endurance and strength. Still in pretty good shape, probably better than last year. 56 years old, 6'0 and currently around 210...Will be hunting in the 9000 foot range this fall...
I think you hit it on the head. I am not really feeling muscle sore, more of a stiffness in the tendons, joints, etc. I wouldn't call it pain, just a mild discomfort and tired.
As I get older, I do a better job of listening to my body. Also helps if I train like I'm almost 50 not 25.
Just remember... all the work will pay big benefits come September!
Good luck!
DON'T FORGET TO STRETCH. This is very very important (before and after, if you can). I don't always take my own advice, but I have to almost force myself to stretch. I am trying to get in the habit of stretching while watching TV. The older I get the more less flexible I get. The stretching can be done fairly quickly (say 15-20 minutes).
Also, be sure to drink a lot of water (cut out the other "crap"). I have a weakness for Pepsi, I have done very well cutting this out of my diet. At work, I will purchase a 20 oz. Vitamin water/Gatorade/Powerade and then keep the container and refill it 4 or 5 times a day with water.
Everything in moderation. Good luck . . . you're no different than alot of us. The key is to keep moving.
Wow!!! I'm feeling goooood.
Lass week I started hiking a ski resort by my house. Going to hit it twice a week and do crossfit twice a week. I have to say I felt better hiking the mtn yesterday (7/24/13) than last year right before I left for my trip and I got about 6 1/2 weeks before I hunt. I know I'm loosing weight, but also gaining muscle.. So the muscle gain my off set some of my weight (fat) loss.. Tee
In high school, I was not a lineman. I was a very skinny cross country runner. I was probably 5'8" and 130 lbs.
Now, I'm 48, still 5'8" and about 175 lbs. Some arm/leg/shoulder muscles but still much more gut than I'd like.
I have an Alaskan moose/grizzly hunt in September. The hunt is a lot of work. Lots of hiking/climbing every day. No ATVs and not a nice gentle float trip.
So, I've been trying to get in better shape.
I've been hiking mountains in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin with a fairly heavy pack (maybe 45 lbs). I've been trying to do that at least once a week for 2-4 hours. I've also been doing some weightlifting a few times a week and walking about every day.
I think 'm making progress.
So, what else should I be doing? I can really hike every day because I don't have that much time and my body seems to need the rest between hikes.
I'm gonna drink a 1/2 case of beer while I shoot my bow tonight.
I incorperated the burpie challenge into my preperations for the mountains last year. A couple months out from the trip I start off with about 20 and add one a day until the day before I leave. You don't have to do them hard and fast. You can take it easy (low impact) going down to put your chest on the ground and then back up to your feet and jump. Divide them into a few sets with a minute rest in between. It is a quick workout that really does a lot for stamina and agility.
Of course I will be at a camp with my daughter all next week. Not sure if I will get more exercise or less. I think I will at least get enough to not lose any ground and maybe even do more as I won't be at my desk at all but I also won't be posting either.
I'll be okay (8,400 ft) for Co.! but really cutting on the food and upping the long endurance and hiking..
Good luck all and good to see this thread
"Lineman league" We just called it "gorilla ball".
Vernon
50 minutes stairclimber, with good stretch
I'm not running a marathon with the elk I'm HUNTING them. I have ran down elk and turned them towards my hunters or to keep them in our hunting property on more than one occasion back when I was a younger dumber guide. Those days are over for me with an aging ATHLETES body which I am trying to keep intact for another 30 years of elk HUNTING. Breaking it down by doing some grueling training regime is not my idea of fun. I would rather do my favorite outdoor activities on and off all year long for training with a little ramp up a month before elk season.
These post that come up every year how you need to be a triathlon participant to kill an elk is about as funny as the Rage vs Slick Trick posts.
Thats my last $0.02 on this topic.
Yippee ki-yay
Vernon
I was able to get in several good hikes at my daughter's camp. Unfortunately this week has been a set back as I recover from sleep deprivation and being buried at work as payment for being gone. However, I did get in a hike this morning. I leave for WY in 38 days. Have to hit it hard for til then.
Sat - 3 hour hike, like 5.5 miles + shoot at 50 yards and mow lawn, Sunday 11 mile walk with light pack, tonight 1 hour swim.
Did 5 miles every other day last week and moved up to 6 miles today. Only doing about 18 minute miles (I'll hunt a whole lot slower!).
Starting next week I plan to just do the 6 miles every day. I'm leaving the week of the 25th.
Hoping you all have safe and successful hunts!
I have been reading these for at least 4 years now and have yet to see anyone say that. Go figure.
Darrell - What have you settled on for workouts? Are you alternating Biking/Hiking? I am in the same boat as you for a bike (heavy/slow). I figure that I am saving a lot of money on the bike ($100 instead of $1,000+) and am working harder than when on an efficient bike - win/win.
Good luck on your hunts, everyone.
I'm doing what I can and mostly alternating between walking with a 50# pack and riding my bike. The bike feels like it is working my legs harder though my "Map My Ride" app gives me more credit for "hiking" even without knowing I'm carrying a 50# pack than it does for riding. I was headed out for a bike ride Friday evening but my lab gave me the sad eyes and talked me into taking her for a hike instead. :)
I'm shooting surprisingly well for not having shot as much as I would like. I guess 25+ years of muscle memory pays off on years like this. I'm down to 4 weeks from today and I have a cold. Debating whether to do anything today or let my body rest and recover from the stupid cold. Didn't do anything yesterday other than shoot. Bad timing on the cold but I guess its better than this time next month.
Reliving a blast from the past.......the fat guys of bowsite workout thread!
I'm pretty much at ground zero from 2013 only turning 50 on 9/13........and now on high BP meds that make me pee constantly. So, yeah, I'm good.
