Fitness and Preparations

[*******]

I also like to load up my pack when I go for workouts. Last summer I got some pretty weird looks while busting my hump on the inclined treadmill with my Eberlestock bag with a sac of salt in it (55lbs). I start wearing that bag for all my walks and other workouts that I can fit it into. Every night I go out for a 3 or 4 mile walk with my bag on. Towards the start of the season I ramp it up every week. The week before I went goat hunting last summer I was doing 17 miles a week with 70lbs on me after dinner.

I'm at about 2500ft where I am and I don't find a noticeable difference when I go to the big mountains. Being high for my training has really been great for me.

 

[Wyoflightmedic]

P90x again also training for some trail runs

 

[elktracker]

Been doing some P90X and crossfit workouts and running. I live at about 7200 feet and couldn't avoid running hills even if I wanted to so that really helps. I will keep this up until May, then I will start my summer job of tracking radio collared elk in the mountains of western WY. Last summer an average day was about 10 miles with a 20-60lb pack, depending on the length of the trip, 10 days on with 4 off so you can't really get ready for a back country hunt any better than that. This job has the added benefit of putting me in the areas I hunt and a big part of the job is glassing for elk so its also kind of like getting paid to scout.

 

[CoBackcountry]

sitting on my ass with 3 torn ligaments in my ankle
ought to be the luckiest way to finally draw my goat tag
hope to start running again in late april

 

[307Wapiti]

Last season I drew a great elk tag and that got me stoked to start working out. I'd run 3/4 of a mile to the nearest high school, run 12 sets of stadium stairs, run back home. Then do the P90X before work. I'd leave the house at 4:30 to be at work at 7 which got pretty old after I took my elk. I felt like a monster when September came around though.

 

[jhpam3117]

I usually take a month off around Christmas but pick it back up after the new year. I weight train 2-3x a week and spin 60 miles a week. When the weather is nice I will be preparing for some rides and put a lot of miles on my bike (around 800-900). I will still hit the gym for weight training too. I shoot as much as I can. For daily shots when I can't get to the range I shoot 10 yards in the house. I try to make it to a walking course a few times before the season and fine tune my gear before the first week of the season.

 

[pat_estvold]

I play basketball 2 nights a week running up and down the court, and shoot bow 2 nights a week at 3D and 300. and in the summer I bike 4 miles every 3 days

 

[JeffJung]

For a full body cardio workout, very similar to high country hunting, try the "Insanity" workout from Beachbody. Beachbody is the company that brought us P-90x(also great for backcountry conditioning). "Insanity" is a 60 day killer cardio routine that utilizes only your body for weighted resistance and is only for the fit and athletic person, no beginners. This workout has really helped me push hard through the off season blues.

I'm running this workout a couple times through and will start with my normal weight training, hill runs, and packing exercises come 1June.

 

[BADbuckfever]

Wow, you guys are intense!

All of these posts have me wondering if I can pull off my first backpack bow hunt this year. I am entered in the get fit challenge Ryan started in the tailgate section. Ive been losing weight and have started to get back into exercising daily, but I'm just starting out and weight around 330. The hunt I'm thinking of doing is in the Sierra Nevada range Sequoia National Forest and the hike in would be 12 miles and then hunt (more miles) with that same hike out. I'm starting to wonder if its too much too quick.

 

[twp1224]

BADbuckfever
Have you decided on the area you are going to hunt yet? What does the elevation look like? I run 2-3 miles, then hit the gym and do stair stepper, weight lift. Running 3-5 days a week and hitting the gym 2-3 days a week. I will start including weekend hiking trips with 20-30lb pack on in April. The longest I have hiked is 10 miles in, hunted for 3 days (1-3 miles a day) and then hiked out. The elevation change from the trail head to my hunting area was around 3,500'. I hunted in 9,800-11,000' in elevation and it was tough getting your breath at the higher elevations.

Wow, you guys are intense!

All of these posts have me wondering if I can pull off my first backpack bow hunt this year. I am entered in the get fit challenge Ryan started in the tailgate section. Ive been losing weight and have started to get back into exercising daily, but I'm just starting out and weight around 330. The hunt I'm thinking of doing is in the Sierra Nevada range Sequoia National Forest and the hike in would be 12 miles and then hunt (more miles) with that same hike out. I'm starting to wonder if its too much too quick.

 

[BADbuckfever]

Twp1224 - I might be crazy, but I figured I would try to do the "lower" mt. trip and its @ around 10,000. The "easy" one you mentioned seemed too close to the general public areas, but I may have to go for that one to get started with instead of a long (mileage) backpack hunt. I'll just pack in a couple miles and set up camp and hunt from there. Mentally, that would be more "attainable" for my first backpack hunt. So, whatta ya think?

 

[twp1224]

I sent you PM.

Twp1224 - I might be crazy, but I figured I would try to do the "lower" mt. trip and its @ around 10,000. The "easy" one you mentioned seemed too close to the general public areas, but I may have to go for that one to get started with instead of a long (mileage) backpack hunt. I'll just pack in a couple miles and set up camp and hunt from there. Mentally, that would be more "attainable" for my first backpack hunt. So, whatta ya think?

 

[Wyoflightmedic]

Change up, doing P90X/insanity mix. Routine is on Beachbody.com

 

[Firearrow]

I am running a 50 miler in about two weeks. I also lift a little here and there. Shoot 2-3 times a week, and as weather warms up I will shoot more. Waiting for the snow to take a hike, so I can take a hike with my pack, dog, and my little guy (5 years old now). If I was smart I would ease up on my running mileage, and do more crossfit/P90x. My damn knee's are KILLING me.

 

[MI-address-ROCKYMTN-heart]

I'm new to Western Hunting (this fall will be my first hunt), but consider Adventure Races. Check out this website to locate some races - http://www.trifind.com/gs_adventure/AdventureRaces.html. It's not a complete list but it's a start. Typically they are 6-24 hour races. They'll typically consist of trail running, mountain biking, and kayaking/canoeing (usually provided by race director). All the while the competitors determine their own course utilizing a compass and a map. It keeps the training interesting and will help you keep focus and a competitive edge. They will not help with power or strength though.

I'll be training for and doing a few of these this summer, plus Insanity workouts when I only have an hour available. Plus, based on what I'm reading in these forums, I'll be adding weight training to my routines. Does cruising through Eastmans Forum count as daily exercise?

 

[rpeebles]

How's everyone progressing? So far, I've managed to dump about 10-12 pounds. A few more to go and I will start picking up the exercise. As the weather gets better, I hope to hit the Hills in Rocky Mountain National Park and chase some high country trout. Good luck everyone.

 

[mthuntress]

Great Job Rpeeblles!Well I was doing good until I got hurt at work last week now I'm waiting for State Fund to get the paperwork done so I can get an MRI on my Knee.The Doc's 95% thinking that I've torn something in my knee and 75% on it will take surgery to fix it.So I'll miss my first black bear hunt this year but I'm hoping to be up and running for elk this fall.
I've lost 15 pounds so far!Hpoe everyone else is having great success as well!

 

[*******]

I've dropped 4 so far this year though I think that might not show my whole fitness picture. I've almost doubled the weights on all my arm, back, and leg exercises in the last few months. That muscle has to weight something.

Great to see everyone getting pumped up for this year. Thought I would share one of my favorite quotes to keep you inspired:

"If all this was easy, it wouldn't matter how it ends" --Dan Mangan

 

[billday]

I'm training for and racing half marathons including the Turkey Track Trail Half near Pagosa Springs in June. Also some strength work a couple times per week, though I admit if it comes down to missing my run or missing the strength stuff, it's the latter that gets ditched.

 

[indianw]

Started at 238lbs. Jan. 31 as of April 2 I have lost just over 22lbs headin for 200