Why We Murph on Memorial Day

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If my husband is asking (yet again): “Are you nuts?” it must be time for the annual “Murph” executed by Cross Fitters around the world every Memorial Day weekend.

This past Saturday, my gym mates & I geared up to Run 1 mile > Do 100 pull ups > 200 push ups > 300 squats > Run 1 mile.

Essentially bust our butts in 80ish degree weather.

To add injury to insult (literally), I went into this year’s event with a major handicap.

Day before, on my training run, I tripped on uneven pavement & did a major face plant. My nose, cheek & chin were black & blue. My left hand bloodied. My right hand & wrist, stiff & bruised.

Would push-ups even be possible?

Hell, yes!

Proud to say, this wounded warrior powered through. Completing Murph in my PR (Personal Record in Cross Fit lingo). Confession: I did need to scale my push-ups due to my hand.

The Murph is one of the most famous CrossFit’s Hero WODs (Workout of the Day). Named in memory of Navy Lt. Michael Murphy, an avid Cross Fitter who was killed in Afghanistan in 2005 when he ran into enemy fire to save his team.

In October 2007, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The workout-one of his favorites-was originally named “Body Armor”. After his death it was renamed after him: The Murph.

Let’s be honest is doing some grueling workout comparable to making the ultimate sacrifice?

Obviously, no.

But metaphorically, yes.

It’s a tradition. And a tribute. A powerful way to connect with & honor others.

This year’s event gave me pause to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day. Beyond the bullshit beginning of summer, hitting the beach & celebratory barbecues & beer.

Happy Memorial Day. Let’s spend it together. Oh, heck, let’s just spend on some gauche “Memorial Day Deals”. Big screen TV anyone? BTW-Thank you for your service.

In a small symbolic way, those who participate in The Murph are pushed to their limits & encouraged to keep pushing through pain & exhaustion-as Lt. Murphy did during his final moments.

The Murph also embodies diversity & inclusion.

We are a community working towards a common goal. Yet, everyone does it differently.

Some wear the prescribed 20 lb. vest. Some scale. No one cares if-or how-you do it. Whether you complete the reps in 10 rounds or 20.

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to do it. You can be 18 or 80. As long as you do something really hard. For you.

Can’t run. Row. Can’t do pushups from your toes. Do box push-ups.

The Murph doesn’t just challenge you physically. It tests you mentally & emotionally.

It’s about knowing your strengths & relying on them to finish.

Pushing past your comfort zone.

Discovering where your edge really is.

Knowing you can-when every bone in your body is saying you can’t.

Not allowing excuses–like my accident–to psyche you out.

Yup, the Murph sucks. Big time. It’s brutal & humbling. And that’s why we do it.

The Murph is a reminder that Memorial Day is meant to honor sacrifice, resolve & resilience.

A day of remembrance & reflection for those who have died in the service of our country. More importantly, a sober reminder of WHY they died. For our freedom & democracy.

Given the state of our politics, I worry that next Memorial Day will only be a memory of our fragile democracy. As President Regan said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” I pray not.

I recently served as a Delegate to the Connecticut State Democratic Convention. It began with reciting our Pledge of Allegiance. It had been ages since I had done it. I felt teary eyed as I stood, placed my hand over my heart & with 1200 others in unison Pledged: “Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. & to the Republic for which it stands. ONE NATION UNDER GOD WITH LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL.”

FOR ALL. That’s why we do The Murph on Memorial Day.

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Robin Albin, Insurgents Brand Strategist & Sherpa

Serial brand innovator & virtual Swiss Army Knife of creative. Over her career, Robin has helped invent or reinvent over 50 brands for startups & incumbents.