physical fitness tests, kiss my gluteus maximus!

today, i can look back to the days of physical fitness tests in middle school and not feel the same disgust i once had for them. not that i minded the sit and reach test (i've always been a bit bendy, so i naturally excelled at that one). really, i didn't even mind the sit-ups, or even the mile run (let's face it - i walked most of it just like most of the other girls in my class). the one part of the physical fitness test that i perpetually dreaded because of the stares and the embarrassment was unquestionably the pull-ups. most of the boys could do them without a problem, even if it were only a few. the boys that could do more than a few spurred the oohs and ahhs from the platoon of giddy middle school girls watching the event.

i could never do a pull-up. not even close. i'm pretty sure i just held on to the bar, dangling limply for a few seconds while my weak grip slipped from the smooth metal, and i inevitably dropped to my feet. the whole thing amusing to the gathering of onlooking classmates. to be honest though, most of the girls were the same way.

today though, i can say that i can do pull-ups. weeks ago, i did 3 sets of 10 on monday at the end of my training session (when my whole body is already shaking), but i had a lot of assistance from my trainer holding part of my weight. the best part of the pull-ups? after i did one, a round of applause erupted from the crowd of body builders nearby. yesterday, i was able to do pull-ups totally on my own. not nearly as many, but more than a lot of guys can do! small thing, big accomplishment. i'm so proud of myself! :)