[ArrwSlngnArtist]

in reply to: Getting in shape #48833

I just turned thirty around the end of April and have been exercising regularly for the last seven years, ran my first Tough Mudder last September and even finished it within two hours, but this year I’m aiming to finish the Mudder in an hour and a half.

Four years ago, I was having horrible and often times, debilitating stomach pains to which no doctor could tell why this was happening to me. Eventually I was informed that the cause was food allergies and since then, I have been on a strict diet plan. Before this was all figured out though, my doctor told me to hold off on the gym and that crushed me, as I was use to going daily.

But the woman I was dating at the time introduced me to yoga and proper stretching and that started my gradual return to training. Once my diet issues were figured out, I began exercising again and slowly developed my own routine. Never have I wanted to be Ah-nold big, but growing up Batman was my idol (yeah yeah, he’s a comic character I know) and he believes in training your entire body.

After years of trail and error, I’ve figured out what works for my body and how to go about training it. So now I begin every gym trip with fifteen to twenty minutes of stretching (which if you Zombieland lovers saw, even Tallahassee took to stretching), I even stretch my feet as I wear those Vibram toes shoes. Then I follow that with three upper body exercises, usually arms and shoulders; leading into two core strength training exercises and then one or two heavy leg workouts, resting a minute or two between each set. After the legs I do two more upper body workouts and then a full out ab killer ecersise that usually leaves me a little breathless. Back to arms and shoulders for two more rounds, one last medium leg exercise and the big finish, a different ab killer.

While resting, concentrate on bringing your breathing into check and slowing down your heart rate, so you don’t burn out thirty or forty minutes into the routine. Plus drink plenty of water, I’m not talking about three glasses a day, suck the stuff down as if your life depends on it, because it does. Remaining hydrated throughout the day is essential to your body functioning at its best.

I also run two to three times a week, between three to seven miles and never on a treadmill, I hate those damn things. Mountain trails, paved paths, the side of the road, it doesn’t matter so long as you’re getting that all important cardio in.

Of course none of this means a hill of beans if you don’t eat correctly and fast food doesn’t count people! Protein is a workout nuts best friend, be sure to eat enough in order to rebuild the muscles that you’re breaking down while exercising. Lots of fruits, veggies, pork, fish and rice make up my diet, I haven’t taken enough game yet to factor in its pro and cons, but once I finish training my dad (he is on the recovery path from neck surgery currently) for this hunting season, I intend to catalogue what works for us.

Speaking of hunting, I only have one day a week to practice with my beloved recurve, but I make the most of it. Usually shooting until my hand goes numb, my dad comes down and asks for help (he has an area for shooting at his place) or the rain sets in. I’ve been researching different cultures shooting techniques and have been sandwiching together what works for me, hopefully this season I’ll be able to take down my first big game animal.

Well I hope this was informative and helpful to those that need it and I look forward to any feed back.

Happy training for the upcoming season!

[ArrwSlngnArtist]

in reply to: How many bows do you have? #9487

I currently have a 1977 Bear Alaskan compound that my dad bought for me years ago, my brother and I shot compounds growing up. But after years of just shooting and not feeling that thrill which I used to love ever time we all practiced, I decided it was time to try something different.

Which prompted me to buy my first recurve (actually the first bow I’ve ever bought myself), the Hoyt Dorado with a black riser and 50 lb camo limbs. After half an hour, my arms were sore and I was in love with archery again. This last season was my first time bow hunting, my dad and I were not fortunate enough to bag any game, but I wouldn’t trade that first hunt for anything. Learning how to stalk game, read tracks, practice with distance by stump shooting and other fond memories I will cherish with my dad!

Two weeks ago I started a new job, working with my dads best friend as a roofer and on the third day, he gave me his fathers old recurve. I held in my hands a 1953 Bear Tigercat set at 53 lbs, which was still strung and doesn’t look as if it’s been unstrung in awhile. I want to try shooting it, but I’m afraid the string might snap, I waxed it the day I brought it home and was wondering if I could use my stringer to take the old bow down, any ideas? I appreciate it!

[ArrwSlngnArtist]

in reply to: The War of Arrows…. Great movie! #9465

On a whim, mainly because it was raining and I couldn’t go practice putting stick to paper myself, I decided to watch the film. I sat down on the couch with my art pad and pencils, thinking I would doodle until the archery scenes came on, that is until I realized how amazing and deep the story was. After thirty minutes of sitting there engrossed by what I was seeing, my brother came along and asked me to help bring in firewood (we live in a house that isn’t insulated very well, yet!) and then he sat down after a particular battle scene ensued.

We never ended up bringing in wood, that is until after the credits rolled. It’s a love story, mixed with plenty of action, sure you have to read the subtitles, but if you can get past that, you’re in for a treat. Assuming you have two hours as the movie was rather lengthy, but then again most foreign movies are longer than American ones.

Oh yes, that 1/2 lb broadhead is wicked looking!

[Author]

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