02-18-21 06:22 PM - Post#907966    

KB swings FTW!

So it’s been a couple years since I was shoveling elongated snow in Tahoe. Since then I’ve worked quite a bit on strength, and while I can feel the benefits while working on other projects, the recent PNW storm made my improvements much more apparent. I was dreading shoveling the heavy slush covering our long drive, remembering how my back used to feel after even a little bit of Sierra cement. While tired and a bit beat up, no real soreness after shoveling way more than ever before.

Except for one side neck and shoulder, which is really sore. I think that’s from shoveling a second story deck and awkwardly lifting over a railing, even though I switch hands frequently.

It’s nice to see the training time ph off in the “real world.”

02-19-21 03:15 AM - Post#907972    

Tell me about it; as a Northern European I know what you are talking about. Temp y'day morning -30C (-22F), snow 2-3 feet...

I also like to train the way which pays off in the real world, outside the gym. Push, pull, lift, carry, throw; the magic movements. Sometimes walk, ruck, bike, ski whatever for several hours.

From gym world I've found the deadlift, carry, throw, twist -patterns are the most useful ones for "farm-boy" activities and everyday life. Don't forget the diagonal chains or lines: pick up the load from the ground from your right side, throw or lift it above your head on left side and vv. Like stacking bale hale or snow shoveling.

Good luck with shoveling! It's mid-Feb, we still have some weeks to go... :)

02-27-21 04:47 PM - Post#908245    

Born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan so I grew up shoveling that Very heavy Lake Superior “lake effect” snow, and a lot of it. My main job was to shovel off the roof of the house so it wouldn’t cave in. Now I live I. North Dakota, not as much snow but still gotta shovel and no matter how good shape or strong I am shoveling beats the hell out of me...it’s a workout alright

02-27-21 05:28 PM - Post#908250    

I discovered the same thing. I went from 10K swing challenge to snow bound...my body felt very good,

Mike, our PT, gets busy TWO weeks after a storm. That should be studied.

Daniel John Just handing down what I was handed down... Make a Difference. Live. Love. Laugh. Balance work, rest, play and pray (enjoy beauty and solitude) Sleep soundly. Drink Water. Eat veggies and protein. Walk. Wear your seat belt. Don’t smoke. Floss your teeth. Put weights overhead. Pick weights off the floor. Carry weights. Reread great books. Say thank you

02-27-21 07:04 PM - Post#908252    

What really made my body feel better was getting the snow blower with the electric starter. No more pulling that dang cord.

02-27-21 08:22 PM - Post#908253    

• Dan John Said:

Well, if the Utah DMV marketing is right, then what you’re shoveling isn’t really snow, it’s air, so it doesn’t really count.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have skied a couple of powder days with water content close to what CO and UT get, and wow! But you could shovel it with a broom. Or a leaf blower.

02-28-21 10:49 AM - Post#908270    

• vegpedlr Said:

CO verification on that. We do get "heavy/wet" snow in Spring but mostly it is pretty much fluff. Many years ago, living in Durango, we got 60" (5 ft) during one day. I spent most of the day shoveling, keeping drifts off of big, picture windows, keeping wood pile clear, keeping walks and driveway open. Only occasional short breaks for baking/eating oatmeal cookies! Not even sore the next day though I did sleep exceptionally well that night.

Our cat LOVED it! She would go out and run down a cleared path at top speed than vanish into the drifs. She would reappear every several seconds somewhere in the snow field yard, like a dolphin breaching (air break or orientation). After 10 minutes or so of charging around she'd run onto the enclosed porch and dive under the wood stove that was burning hot hot hot. Barely enough clearance and I was certain she would burst into flames and die. But no. After 5 minutes or so under the stove she'd run back outside and repeat.

02-28-21 02:28 PM - Post#908276    

Regardless of location, it’s a good idea to start shoveling early before it consolidates and gets really heavy and nasty. I fondly remember Tahoe nights shoveling snow while waxing my skis the night before a powder day. Less to do come morning so quicker access to the ski hill.

02-28-21 04:24 PM - Post#908278    

When living in Colorado I had three snow shovels: a "regular" one, a much wider and deeper shovel for light, dry snow and a grain transfer shovel for heavy, wet snow. Luckily I kept the latter when moving back to Texas, it worked perfectly for last week's snow.

"Coyote is always waiting, and Coyote is always hungry."