I've been planning this elk hunt this fall for the past 5 years. It so happens that I have a 19 year old son that ran track and played basketball. He is the reason I started working out with the goal in mind of getting in shape for an elk hunt. So in the past 5 years I have done a lot of running. I've completed 3 marathons and continue to run 5-6 days a week. I lift weights, upper body and legs, 3-4 days a week and do numerous push-ups and sittups. I am 45 and probably in the best shape I've been in since high school. I've heard the warnings to get in shape before going on an elk hunt. I plan to be the fittest hunter in camp in Sept. The only thing I can't plan for, is the altitude. We are at a stunning 600 ft. elevation here in corn country. I guess I could climb the tv tower 3-4 days a week! LOL