M2M Day 298: Wait, you’re NOT gonna count this?!!!
This post is part of Month to Master, a 12-month accelerated learning project. For August, my goal is to complete one continuous set of 40 pull-ups.
This morning, trainer Matt came for our weekly Friday workout, and, as always, to start the session, I did one set of as many pull-ups as I could.
Today, although I was a little tired (from a not-so-great night of sleep), I was particularly focused and mentally present. So, when I stepped up to the bar, I was fully prepared to knock out 40 pull-ups — even though this would represent a 14% increase on top of my current PR.
Still, I felt like it was going to happen…
After shaking out my arms, I hopped up on the bar, and once I got going, I didn’t slow down: I passed 10, then 20, then 30, then 35, 36, 37, and 38. I finished 39, and then immediately hit a wall. On 40, I got over the bar, but needed to quickly pumped my legs. I tried again, but, this time, had to tuck my legs.
In other words, today, I set a new PR of 39 and two halves, which sadly does not equally 40.
I sent the video to a few friends, who all said I should count it. Even Matt the trainer was ready to call it.
But, I wasn’t satisfied: I want every pull-up, including 40, to be as clean as possible. No leg pumping. No kipping. No swinging. Just pulling.
I still have 6 days, and clearly have the strength, so I feel like there’s enough wiggle room to impose this kind of strictness.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to get into the same headspace for my next attempt, and easily fly through 40 beautiful pull-ups.
Read the next post. Read the previous post.