How I know I've been working hard in tae kwon do

1.) Two of my knuckles are raw
2.) My abs are still a little sore from doing pyramids in Saturday's class
(if you don't know what pyramids are, count your blessings)

I've finally graduated to the advanced class at tae kwon do after trying to catch up with lower-belt requirements since August (I came in with a red belt, but each school's belt requirements are different). So far there hasn't been a class as crushing as some of the ones we used to have in Ithaca (once, in a fog of endorphins, I nearly ran a stop sign and T-boned a minivan on my way home), but I'm fine with easing back in to things.