Pick and Shovel Workout

Tuesday night is my waterline burial deadline. That's when the temperature is supposed to drop to around twenty degrees Fahrenheit. That's too cold for an unburied waterline. After Monday's efforts I'm down to the last eight feet or so. I was debating on whether or not to push on and finish it. Then heavy rain moved in.

Since I was already feeling pretty beat it seemed like a good time to stop. Eight feet of digging doesn't seem like much, but it's tough going. There are roots that need to be axed, and rocks levered out of the way, so it's far enough. After a good night's sleep I should be able to finish the job in a couple hours.

Before my leg injury, the job would have done by now. Being laid up allowed me to get out of shape. It's these little projects that are slowly getting me back into condition. I've never been one to stick to an exercise program. They always seem like a huge waste of time and energy to me. Instead, I move heavy things, split wood, shovel, climb up and down hills, and generally get stuff done.

Then there's the stuff I do for fun, paddling, sailing, bicycling, fishing, hunting, swimming and other activities. Because it's fun, I'll do it for hours. Once I tried a rowing machine. Within minutes I was bored to tears. However, put me in a real rowboat and I'll row all day. It's different when you can feel the wind and the currents while watching the world go by. Put a trolling line in the water and it's even more interesting.

Digging a trench is a pain, but beats working out in the gym.

-Sixbears