Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering

by Cameron R. Hanes

One of my favorite books of all time is Hunting with the Bow and Arrow by Dr. Saxton Pope. Written in 1923, it details the adventures of Pope and his friend Art Young. On page 181, it reads, “We also began preparing ourselves for the contest. Although habitually in good physical condition, we undertook special training for the big event.” In this case, he and Young were preparing for a grizzly bowhunt. Pope continues, “By running, the use of dumbbells and other gymnastic practices, we strengthened our muscles and increased our endurance.” On page 206, regarding the tough backcountry hunt, he writes, “We were there to win and nothing else mattered,” adding later, “We were trained down to rawhide and sinew, keyed to alertness and ready for any emergency.”