x
Breaking News
More () »

CrossFit gym honors fallen heroes with a 'special' workout

Members of the CrossFit community are very familiar with the name Michael Murphy. The fallen Navy Seal is so respected he has a workout named after him.

BURLINGTON, N.C. — Scott Sumner had trouble sleeping last night. He was anxious and restless. His heart was racing at times, “I was laying in bed thinking about what I had to do over and over again in my mind and I started to get very anxious about it,” said Sumner.

It was almost a relief when the sun started to rise, and Sumner could get up and head to the gym. While most people were still sleeping Sumner and a handful of people were honoring our fallen heroes in their own special way, “We do this workout to honor all veterans, especially the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Sumner.

The workout is named after Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy who was killed in 2005 while on a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan. 

Murphy would often workout by running two miles sandwiched around 100 pullups, 200 pushups, and 300 air squats, “Well it’s hard, it’s not easy that’s for sure,” said Sumner.

At a CrossFit gym’s all across the state and country, including 584 CrossFit in Burlington, thousands and thousands of people honored our fallen veterans by doing the “Murph” workout as they call it, “You take this hour or however long it takes you and you give everything you got and you finish that workout because the veterans finished their assignment,” said Mitch McCallister.

Retired from the Air Force, McCallister served from 1983 to 1987. The workout to him is a way of honoring and respecting the men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms, “It’s an emotional day because I truly understand the meaning of it, it’s not just a day off work, it’s a day to celebrate those folks that gave the ultimate price,” said McCallister.

On a day we honor our fallen veterans this group of Crossfiters chose to give “everything” they had to a workout. They pushed their bodies, fought through the sore muscles and the burning pain to finish a workout designed by a true American hero, “I think a lot about him while I’m working out, he didn’t quit and he didn’t give up,” said Sumner.

While gyms across the state remain closed during the pandemic, members of this gym decided to come together on this day to honor the men and women who lost their lives. It was the first time the gym has been open since late March.

RELATED: Track COVID-19: Carolinas outbreak map

RELATED: President Trump honors fallen soldiers on Memorial Day in twin events

RELATED: 1st deadlines approach for laid-off workers to get health insurance

RELATED: Coronavirus in North Carolina: Organizers to demand NC reopen fully amid phase 2 of reopening plan

RELATED: ‘One night only’: North Carolina musicians to perform in benefit concert for Greensboro Urban Ministry

RELATED: Ace Speedway packed with fans on opening night

RELATED: Burlington gym holds outdoor group exercise class 'to show we can be safe and open up' during coronavirus pandemic

RELATED: Memorial Day even more poignant as veterans die from virus

FACTS NOT FEAR

Remember facts, not fear when talking about the coronavirus. You should take the same measures recommended by health leaders to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses. That means washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, and covering coughs and sneezes.

WHERE YOU GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS IS IMPORTANT 

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about the coronavirus is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. Be careful not to spread misinformation about coronavirus on social media. 

For more information visit the CDC OR NCDHHS

NC CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE 

The state also has a special hotline set up where you can call 866-462-3821 for more information on the coronavirus. You can also submit questions online at ncpoisoncontrol.org or select chat to talk with someone about the virus.

You can also text keyword VIRUS to WFMY News 2 at 336-379-5775 to find out more information. 

Stay connected to local, national, and breaking news: Download the new WFMY News 2 app. 

Text the word APP to 336-379-5775

DOWNLOAD FOR IPHONE HERE

DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID HERE

Before You Leave, Check This Out