I've been in the construction industry at varying levels for about 20 years. The last person I saw doing real labor was me!
When I worked for my father, I would wear out a shovel in a full season. Each winter he'd buy me a new Razorback (short or long handle, depending on my mood). In the fall, the point would be worn back about three or four inches and steel worn thin, if not cracked, bent or peeled. Then again, my father didn't own a skidsteer or a mini-excavator. He didn't need them, cause he had me.
Now I sit at desk most days and get fat (engineer). I definately couldn't do that work now. Not without a year or so of conditioning at least.
But I don't see people doing what I did. For the last 10 years or so, I see "laborers" watching the machinery do the work. If a little hand clean up is needed, they simply direct the operator.
So I applaud you getting out and digging by hand. Its actually pretty rewarding work, especially knowing that you are getting in shape, can do the work of a mini ex, and have not expensive payments!
I also have a background in the construction industry, although it was many years ago. We would dig entire foundations for 3000 (or more) square foot homes entirely by hand. Often times, when the concrete trucks couldn't get close enough to the footer, we would use wheelbarrows to unload the concrete trucks. Then we got to enjoy carrying and laying concrete blocks after mixing the morter by hand, one wheelbarrow at a time.
Come to think of it, what I'm doing now is but a small part of a much larger project that includes a 600-800 square foot addition to my home, so it looks like I'll get to dig footers, pour concrete, mix mortar, and lay block once again.
It's funny that you mentioned wearing out a shovel because my first shovel (short handle) was murder on my back, plus it kept cracking and I got tired of welding it, so I bought a new one (long handle) last week. I need to sharpen the edge of the new one though, because it makes digging so much easier, with the added benefit of being able to cut small roots on the fly.
Make no mistake about it, there have been many days when I seriously considered going to town and renting a backhoe, as I know how to run one, but somehow it seemed like cheating since I've came so far by doing it the hard way.
It's extremely hard work, and I must admit that I'm more than a little out of shape, having worked a desk job for too many years. Each spring and summer, I manage to get some decent exercise by doing chores around the house, but nothing even approaching the magnitude of this project.
Being middle aged, I have to keep reminding myself that I can't do the same amount of work that I did in my youth, and just in case I forget, my body always reminds me when I've pushed myself too hard. My aches have pains most nights, but I seem to be able to do a bit more with each passing day. I honestly think I'm rapidly getting back in shape, the hard way.
In any case, I must agree that it's proving to be a very rewarding experience. Seeing what I've accomplished, even though it's not complete, makes me feel a strong sense of accomplishment.
Lastly, I know it's very hard to describe exactly what I'm doing so I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow. Now that I think about it, I may even have some "before" pictures, but I'll have to go through my digital pictures to see if any have been taken which show the area I'm working on.
