I find I don’t have the self discipline to stay in shape without a little incentive so, I sign up to do triathlons (swim/bike/run), open water swims, and running races. This way, I have to stay in shape for the “next” event and it keeps me motivated. Then when hunting season gets close I just add some long treks in the hills to get ready for the backpack hunts. As an extreme example, next May I’m doing the Rim to Rim run in the Grand Canyon starting at the North rim, and running to the South rim. That training is starting now. After doing that, no hike to the top of a ridge to hunt will seem tough. 😯