Yep, it isn't easy.
I went to pull a 5.9 a few years ago on a half off sale and after two half days of wrenching got it up to the office with the help of my girlfriend pushing it on one of their hoists. I was going for as complete an engine as I could get. The kid at the cashier desk tried to charge me for every single nut and bolt. I got pissed and told him to keep it. Next time I only want the short block, a power steering bracket, alternator bracket and not much else. I just turned 50 and and am not as limber as I was three years ago. I see those ads for parts pullers and think about how much I hurt after a day of wrenching in a yard and it is tempting to hire a pair of hands.