In August 2025, I was barely able to pull off 1 single pull-up. Fast forward to September 2026, and I have officially hit 10 clean pull-ups twice in a row! Here is how consistency and advice from a trail runner transformed my strength.
Practicing rock climbing at The Hive facility in Port Coquitlam. Having very little upper-body strength (手无缚鸡之力), I could only manage the simplest routes and quickly reached my limit. At this point, I could barely complete a single pull-up.
The Hive — Port Coquitlam
Watch Short on YouTube ↗A week later back at The Hive in Port Coquitlam. Tested my maximum strength and was able to pull off exactly one pull-up.
During a training session with Vancouver Runaholics, I met Jack, who had just completed the gruelling 330 km Tor des Géants (TDG) ultra-marathon. Jack suggested I focus on building upper body strength through pull-ups.
"If you can get up to 10 pull-ups, your running pace will drop by 10 seconds per kilometer."
Put it to the test shortly after—check out my running log:
📖 Read the Mt. Unnecessary Running Log
⚡ Just 4 days later, I officially broke the 10K 45-minute barrier!
A year of consistent strength work pays off! Successfully hit my long-term goal of 10 clean pull-ups in a single set.
Proving the milestone was no fluke. Hit 10 clean pull-ups for the second time this month!