I jumped, my hands grasped the metal bar. I balanced my grip, took a breath and cleared my mind. I focused all my energy and strength in one full body contraction, and lighter than imagined, I pulled myself up. I lifted my body from a dead hang to my chin reaching above the bar. I couldn’t believe it. I lowered myself down slowly, and did it again. It was almost easier this time, after knowing it was possible. I think I went for five pull-ups total, before dropping to the ground with burning hands.
I was euphoric and exhausted. I felt my heart racing and blood rushing through my veins, all while feeling stronger and lighter than ever before. I had done it. Pull-ups, that elusive physical strength goal that always seemed so far away. I couldn’t believe I had mastered this skill and the time had finally come. There would be more challenges – now I could reach for quantities, and more difficult tasks like doing this on the gymnast rings, maybe even a muscle-up. But for now, I was thrilled with this accomplishment.
And then I woke up.
Pulling Up | A Fitness Diary 
