Rochester CrossFit Gyms Pay Tribute to Fallen Navy SEAL With ‘Murph Challenge’
Local Rochester CrossFit gyms made sure to have extra water on hand for this one, as dozens of people came together to honor a fallen soldier with their annual "Murph Challenge" over the hot n' humid Memorial Day weekend.
It's one thing to thank a veteran by shaking his or her hand when you see them on the street, but there's something special about honoring them by pushing your own bodies limits to the extreme by completing a workout of epic proportions - especially during a record setting holiday weekend temperature-wise.
The Rochester community and more came together at several CrossFit gyms around the city and worked out in honor of those who have been in the military, who are in the military, and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom by once again honoring Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy. He was killed in action in Afghanistan back in 2005, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. CrossFitters now pay homage to the fallen soldier ever year during Memorial Day and from what I've now seen, and read, it's quite the feat...
The "Murph Challenge" consists of the following:
- 1 mile run
- 100 pull-ups
- 200 push-ups
- 300 air squats
- 1 mile run
Wow, I'm exhausted after just typing that all out.
Detour Athletics member Mike Arnold says that while it is exhausting, it's also extremely fulfilling:
Being part of a crossfit community, we know that it is to honor the fallen so we remind ourselves of that... but the actual work it takes to complete it involves some mental fortitude. Add it all together, that is 600 reps of work, and you sandwich that in between a mile run! I felt that sense of accomplishment when I completed it all.
If you'd like to see the "Murph Challenge" in action, check out this amazing video that was shot by Kupcake Photography for Aliv Fitness:
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