I ache. My legs hurt. But you know what? It feels great.

I am not a very dedicated gym person. In fact, I loathe the gym. I’d much rather hike in the mountains for a couple hours than do the hamster on the treadmill thing at the gym. And gyms stink. And they’re dirty. And gym people irritate me.

You may or may not be a gym person. If you’re the guy that screams and throws the weights down, poses in front of the mirrors, and walks very slowly and deliberately around the gym (so everyone sees how buff you are) then you’re a gym person. If youre the gal that dresses in flashy, trendy outfits and parades around the cardio machines for a few laps before hopping on one in the front row (so everyone sees how cute you are) theyn you’re a gym person. And you bug me.

Most of the time I’m happy to leave the gym to the gym people. But, funny thing about going to the gym–I feel pretty good when I’m done. And after getting back in the gym, after a long absence, it feels even better. So why don’t I keep going? Why do I go religiously for a few months, taper off, and not return for at least six? I wish I knew.

At any rate, I feel good today. I can’t wait for the opening day of hunting season, September 17th. I should be ready for Jimmy’s ranch, it’s not all mountainous like Trinity. And come October I’ll be in even better shape.

And then after hunting season is over I’ll probably stop going to the gym. It will be another six months before something else motivates me…

And that’s just the way I am.

Nine weeks from now I’ll be up in Trinity for the annual hunting trip.

So I’ve got nine weeks to get my heart, lungs, and legs stronger. In years past I didn’t have to do anything out of the ordinary to prepare, I was in good enough shape for hiking.

Despite my weight, I’m still a strong guy in decent shape, heart and lung-wise. I have my youth and genes to thank for that. However, last year I could feel it. Walking around the mountainside my legs were kinda shaky. I hated that.

So this year I got motivated, oh, about a week ago. I’m back in the gym, completely ignoring my upper body for once, and focusing entirely on lower body strength and stamina.

My sister Becky is designing a “functional fitness” routine for me to achieve my goals for hunting. She gave me some new stuff to do this weekend–holy crap my legs are sore. Today my legs burned for an hour.

I know that nine weeks isn’t very long, so I’m taking this very seriously. I’m motivated! And hot damn, I’m really, really excited about this year’s trip!

So how about an “atta kid!” for ol’ Tommy!

Hey, look at me! I’m still awake at 4am!