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Colts lineman prepared for season by rafting, hiking Colorado |
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Thursday, November 10, 2011 12:05 |
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Photo by the Indianapolis Colts via the Glenwood Springs Post Independent
By JEFF CASPERSEN, GLENWOOD SPRINGS POST INDEPENDENT
A summer packed with runs up Hanging Lake Trail and long rafting trips down Colorado rivers left Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Mike Tepper in prime shape entering his first full season in the National Football League.
And a successful campaign it's been.
The University of California alum, who's listed at 6-foot-6 and 323 pounds on the Colts' roster, is contributing as a member of the active squad.
With the NFL mired in a lockout at the time, Tepper spent his summer working as a raft guide for Glenwood Adventure Company/Lakota Guides. He came to Glenwood Springs to visit his longtime friend, David Kinne, and wound up working roughly two months as a raft guide alongside his best friend.
The intensely physical nature of the job served as training for the 2011 season.
“Being on the river for five or six hours a day definitely helped my upper body strength and cardiovascular fitness,” Tepper said by phone on Tuesday. “Getting out and running, going to Hanging Lake, trying to stay in shape … the altitude kicked by butt. It got me in shape. I literally came down from Colorado to Indianapolis and felt ready to go.”
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