When I was a kid, P.E. was something we only did once every few weeks.  It was one of those extra activities that rotated with music and art.

We played games like dodge ball and four square.   And we ran and had field days.  I had fun for the most part, but there were two things that terrified me:  the rope climb and the presidential fitness test.

I was a heavy kid.  Not necessarily obese, but not skinny like the other girls.  I couldn’t do sit ups well.  I definitely couldn’t do the flex arm hang (which was what the girls were expected to do — only boys did pull ups).  And I couldn’t climb the rope.

This morning was my last training session with Coach Jen Cardella.  As part of our workout, she had set up the rope.  I was eager to see if I could do it, but not too hopeful — after all, despite all these years, I still remember my elementary school failures vividly.

But Jen did something my P.E. teacher never did.  She showed us HOW to do it.

I was timid, but I jumped on, locking the rope between my feet, putting one foot on top of the other.

And I climbed.  And climbed.  I was half way up when I yelled, “I’m doing it!  I’m doing it!”  I guess the shock of actually being able to climb the rope was a little overwhelming because I found myself descending soon after.  I think I could have kept going.

I’m eager to try again, and fortunately, Andy bought a rope and is hanging it in our tree RIGHT NOW!  I have requested he also buy a 2″ rope (the one we have is 1″).

The training session was an awesome way to end 2010.  Here’s what we did:

Warmup:
500m row
200 single jump rope swings
25 push ups
50 squats
25 box jumps
400m run

Skill:
Snatch
3-3-2-2-1-1

Results: 35-55-60-65-60-55

Pull up (15 deadhang, 5 kipping)
Rope climb (1 climb half way, 1 -1/4 climb)

WOD:
25 DB Thrusters (20#)

Time: 1:42

I grew more and more tired as we worked on barbell snatches.  The more tired I got, the harder it became to pull the weight up off the ground.  I was really impressed with the other ladies, who managed to keep up their strength through the session.  I dropped the weight as my form suffered.

The little WOD felt brutal, and if we set the weight down, we would have had to start over.  I made sure I didn’t set it down, and now my shoulders are burning.

Andy and I finished making my workout grid for the challenge.  He printed out an entire chart of when to do my workouts and when to add in the extra exercises we chose for me to help me achieve my goals.  I’ll have two days off, and I’ll NEED them.  This is going to be an intensive challenge, and I intend to meet my goals — EVERY ONE of them.  I can’t wait to find out who my coach is!