Summer in Maine
Filed under: General Health, Training
This past weekend I paid a little visit to CP. It was nice to see some friendly faces, do some coaching, catch up with the staff and get in a brutal 20 minute Prowler push medley (after doing some other strong man work).
I hate the Prowler, and I hate EC for programming that the day I come down. I could hardly move my legs for about 10 minutes after finishing they were so exhausted and full of blood.
After driving back home to Maine that evening (a shade under 3 hours) I played and walked 18 holes of some ugly golf at Poland Spring Golf Course the next morning. It was a beautiful day, though there were some very strong winds that made some shots quite interesting.
It was the first time I had ever played a links-style course, and I can’t say I was a huge fan. The pin placements were brutal, especially with the lack of rain so the greens were incredibly fast. I won’t even discuss my score, suffice to say that out of the four of us, at least I came in second. Walking 18 holes is always much more tiring than I expect, and as long as you are slugging down a 6-pack on the way, is some pretty good exercise. On an interesting aside, the Poland Spring Golf Course was the first golf course built at a resort in the US.
The following day my wife and I went whitewater rafting with my parents and sisters on the Kennebec River. Minus the fact that it was overcast and actually somewhat cold, it was fun as hell and I always enjoy crashing down a raging river and hitting some big rapids.
It was also quite fun to see both of my sisters, my mom and my wife fall out, while my dad and I managed to hold strong and actually stay in the raft. We went with Crab Apple Whitewater for those possibly interested in the experience. They do a great job and they have the best location due to the fact that as soon as you exit the river you merely toss your raft up on a trailer and then walk across the road directly to their base. All other companies you have to get back on a school bus and travel back to the base, some as far as 45 minutes away.
All in all it was a busy weekend, but definitely fun and active. A point it really drove home for me was you don’t have to just go to the gym to get some exercise, there are tons of opportunities just waiting for you outside your door! Even the training session at CP was something that really could have been done just about anywhere. You can flip tires, carry heavy stuff for long distances, smash stuff with a sledgehammer, drag heavy tires for time and more to get in a fun, varied and intense conditioning session in. Not everything has to be bench presses and curls!
Take advantage of this beautiful summer before the cold days of winter keep you bundled up inside. Though there is always snow-shoeing.
Check out the BSP Training & Nutrition Newsletter!
You will get immediate access to:
- Weekly updates and exclusive content.
- The 20-page report "The Truth About Saturated Fat & Cholesterol."
- Become more awesome!
Posted on August 18th, 2010 by Brian St. Pierre
6 Comments
August 18th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Amen to that.
I am moving to Brighton (UK) shortly and am looking forward to carrying on with my BJJ, playing some 2-3 man basketball, and maybe even a bit of yoga (I can see people cringe as they read that last bit haha!)
Variety is the spice of life indeed.
August 18th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
You forgot to mention the most brutal form of minimalist conditioning, hill sprints. All you need are legs and pair of brass balls.
August 19th, 2010 at 2:06 am
Sounds like a great weekend Brian. I rafted the Penobscot River 6 or 7 years ago now (before I moved out West), probably one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve ever had.
August 19th, 2010 at 5:21 am
Ed,
Yes it is. Plus just leading an active lifestyle is much more exciting while also being better for your overall health.
Robert,
Simple and brutal works for me.
Jonathan,
I did the Penobscot myself around the same time. That is one intense river, it is almost scary! Not for the faint of heart.
August 19th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
The note at the end really sealed this quaint article for me. Thanks for the inspiration! :-].
March 31st, 2011 at 8:10 am
May I just say what a help to search out somebody who essentially realizes exactly what they are talking about on the web. You certainly recognize how to bring an issue to light and allow it to important. Even more people require to learn it all and understand it side of the story. I cannot believe you’re not more popular as you essentially have the gift.