Surround Yourself with Your Inspirations

Everyone has their own definition of fun.  On Memorial Day we thought that it would be fun to have a little workout session as a family at the Crossfit Affiliate in Portsmouth, NH.  I invited my wife, my father, and my niece, Laura, to join in.  Laura is 11 years old and is in the process of kicking Cystic Fibrosis in the butt.  I find great inspiration from this spirited young lady who has but only one desire:  the chance to do her absolute best at everything that she takes on. 
Appropriately enough, the workout of the day (or the WOD) was “Murph” – named in memory of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy, 29, of Patchogue, N.Y., who was killed in Afghanistan June 28th, 2005.  The workout itself is awful – in a fun kind of way:  Run 1 mile and then do 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 squats – and then run another mile – all for time.  Reportedly, this workout was one of Mike’s favorites.  He called it: “Body Armor” because he would do it in full gear.  It is now known universally as “Murph” in honor of this great American who wanted nothing more in life than to serve this great country and the beautiful people who make it what it is. 
About thirty minutes into a workout like this the wheels start coming off the wagon.  My thighs stopped screaming because they had gone numb.  One more push-up and I was sure that my pecs would pop – which would be welcomed, actually, because then I could stop.  The blisters on my hands had torn, twice.  I knew that all I had to do was lay down.  I knew that there was actually enough air in the state of New Hampshire for me to breathe. But then I’d look over at Laura.  Moving, sweating, panting and smiling. 
Surround yourself with your inspirations.  Laura you are one of mine. 
Now go inspire someone, 
Uncle Stephen