Do you do anything special to get/stay in shape for Bow Season?

Just wondering if any of you do anything specifically to help you be physically in shape for bow season? I just turned 40 and am fairly active, but don't exercise nearly as much as I should. I had noticed my endurance going down while hiking through the woods (with a too-full pack, bow, and usually a climber). I decided to sign up for my first 5K! I ran it on June 7th, and (amazingly) survived! It really did help to have that goal to work toward.

 

Running a 5K is great. I would just find your max heart rate for your age and work near that either with running or sprints of lifting. Over a 12 week span is when you will see great progress if consistent. I am active duty military so they keep me in peak physical condition year round! Which is a plus!

 

I'll be 39 this September 27th...I have noticed a downward trend in my stamina since I was about 34-35, I guess it's normal along with a forehead that is also getting larger .

I stay active around the farms and am still in decent shape but could and should do more cardio.

 

CoveyMaster ...you are definitely right about the forehead

I have a physically handicapped (CP) 6 year old daughter that motivates me to stay in shape too. We are hoping she can walk on her own eventually, but in the meantime, I've got to stay in decent shape so I can help her as needed. Of course, the bowhunting thing is always in the back of mind too as I try to fight off old age!

 

I dont, then again im 16 and pretty active as it is

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I started with a personal trainer 2 weeks ago. I am getting stronger, but am most suprised about the mental benefits.

 

From my POV it is all about the Journey.
We all know you get out of it what we put into it and no pain, no gain. My normal routine:
Shooting Arrows
Incline Bench
Eating Habits
Light Free Weights

Room to improve is a fact we all struggle with but clear understanding of limited capabilities as age and the hard knocks of life build on us is a reality we fight against while pushing on.

Keep the Fire Stoked --->

 

I have a home gym that occasionally get used. Now that the summer is here, I'll get on my bike and ride 4 - 5 miles a night. I also watch what I eat and try to get up and move around throughout the day.

 

I push pole the flats all summer looking for fish!!!!

 

I shoot my bow about everyday if that counts, and I think it does. This time of year I try to ride my bike a couple days a week but to be honest when its hot like it is now I have a hard time doing it. Some days i'll just walk. I also have a sled that I'll load up and drag up a hill that prepares me for our ND duck hunt. A lot of the spots we hunt you cant drive to, you have to haul your stuff in and a sled works great for that. We've been going up there for 12-13 years and dragging that sled isn't as easy as it used to be.

 

Mr. O
My sister Brooke who is 3 years younger than me also has CP. She is now 29, is a school teacher, shes married and is pregnant with their first child.

I can remember the days when she couldn't walk even with her canes. It was tough. To say I was in good shape then would have been an understatement. I pushed, carried, pulled and helped her everywhere. As far as today goes I have been doing 30 to 45 min of cardio 5 days a week for the last 3 months. I can tell a huge difference in the way I feel and get around.

I know every special child has different needs. But here is what I can tell you from helping raise my sister. Treat her like she is normal. Make her do things normal kids do and we she isn't capable of doing them keep yourself in good enough shape that you can pack her around to do them. I pushed my body to limits I never thought possible to help Brooke fit in. I helped shape who she is today and most of all it taught me to never quit on anything.

 

Turned 62 this year. My grandson gave me the nickname mr furniture. He said my chest had fallen into my drawers.
Been walking a couple miles every say since. Haven't lost any weight but do feel better.

 

Nothing "special"

Just the daily workout then will start to shoot bow in spring/summer.

 

All about the cardiovascular shape for me. Run, cylce, play basketball - repeat! Haven't started shooting my bow consistently just yet but will probably start that in the next couple of weeks.

 

I made a re-commitment to my lifestyle and health this past December. I started running and really watching what I eat. I am an exercise physiologist so I have always been good shape as I practice what I preach. In December I was 212 and 20% BF so I started running and biking and continued m lifting but switched to more of a Cross Fit routine. I have ran 2 5k's and 2 10k's and completed the Murph Challenge. I have finished no worse than 36th any of the races.

I am now down to 171 lbs and 9% BF. I feel the best I have felt since playing football in college 14 years ago. My wife as been a big support and she also has done a great job losing weight as we have been working together.

I cant wait to see how the results show during deer season.

 

I go to the bar and sit there for 6 hours without getting up to pee. That's how I get ready for bow season.

 

I've been riding a bike and walking quite a bit the past 6 weeks. I'm down 17lbs since then and feel alot better.

 

Clinton,
Thanks for the words of encouragement...so happy for your sister. I will share this with Angelina. Sounds like we are on the right track. We give her chores to do, take her horseback riding, biking, etc. As for me, I've been up in play lands and down slides with her, 'helped' her play duck-duck-goose at VBS, etc, etc. Whatever I can do to help her fit in. It was so great to see her walk down the aisle (with walker) to get her Kindergarten diploma last month. Yeah, she is definitely my main motivation to stay in shape!

 

I work sitting at a desk for 55-60 hours a week. I then travel a good 5-10 nights a month too on top of that eating hotel food on the go. When I'm not doing that I'm spending time with my kid so I have very little time to actually work out these days. For me getting in shape means hiking all over creation with a treestand and pack on my back setting things up for my upcoming season, when I actually get spare time it's best spent getting things ready.

Most of my pre-hung stands are fairly heavy setups (steel Muddy w/ their steel sticks ~ 30ish lbs). Add in a pack, some waters, a couple cameras and my hooyman saw and I'm probably over 40lbs. I did around 3 miles up and down some pretty steep terrain this weekend in 85+ degrees. I felt like I was gonna puke when I was done and I'm still sore. I drank a lot of beer and looked at trail cam pics that night to soothe my burning legs.

 

60-120 lbs in the badlands and walking 2-3 miles probably 3 times a week. While pushing the occassional stroller as my son likes to tag along once in awhile. Going to start shooting the bow while loaded down in hopes of getting use to shooting with a pack on as your never know when you might bump that buck or bull of lifetime.