“Mini” Murph 2019

So, we participated in the "Mini" Murph last night at JFK Covington.

The only thing that made this Murph Challenge “mini” was that we were not required to wear the body armor, though some participants did.

The kids started things off with doing 5 groups of

20 pull-ups
40 push-ups
60 squats
4 laps around building

Now to be fair, the pull-ups could be full pull-ups done on a bar, or modified using an A-frame with straps or a TRX strap.

My son had been saying he didn’t want to do it, but when Ms. Hoover, his sensei, asked him if he was going to do so and he told her “No ma’am,” the look she gave him quickly changed that to a “Yes Ma’am!”

The difference for the adults was that we did 4 half-mile runs instead of just going around the building. I tried all three available methods for pull-ups and the traditional was definitely the hardest. On that round, I had to break things up into 4 sets.

Still, I am rather proud of my overall performance. I finished everything in just over 73 minutes, including resting time between sets. 60 total squats were done holding my ~25 pound baby, and one full mile pushing her in her stroller!

I certainly won’t be doing that exercise today, but I plan to try on Monday morning. See ya then!

Murph Training Week 2

Welcome back everybody to another edition of "One Eyed Tiger Trains For The Murph!" I'm so glad you decided to come back to see my progress.

To recap, or for those reading for the first time (in which case, please check out "The Beginning of My Murph Journey" posted last week), I am training to participate in "The Murph" 2020 on Memorial Day 2020. This is an intense workout, consisting of:

1) 1-mile run
2) 100 pull-ups
3) 200 push-ups
4) 300 squats
5) 1-mile run

all while wearing a 20-lb backpack or body armor. 

Last Saturday, May 11 2019, I completed the following:

1-mile run (13:57)

4 sets of:

5 pull-ups
10 push-ups
15 squats

1-mile run (13:24)


This week, I truly showed some progress as this is what I completed on May 18 2019:

1-mile run: 13:09

5 sets of:

5 pull-ups
10 push-ups  >  7:05
15 squats

1-mile run: 12:54

That is a total time of 33:08.

Based on that pace, I could theoretically finish the whole thing in 54:23.

However, I did it with no extra weight and I know more than a few of my pull-ups weren't quite perfect.

Still, I continue to practice the pull-ups on a daily basis, and have gotten as good as 5 1/2 or 6 complete pull-ups in a row! Considering that a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't even do two in a row, I think that's some pretty good progress.

Oh, be looking for an additional post this week, as I plan on doing a mini-Murph this coming Friday at JFK Martial Arts Covington, LA. I think I will be doing a team version. Be sure to come cheer on the participants at 5:30 PM!

Anyway, thanks for checking up on my progress again! I look forward to having you join me on this journey!


- One Eyed Tiger

"If keep at it you do, improve upon your current place, you will" - The Ancient.

The Beginning of My Murph Journey

Greetings one and all! Welcome to the chronicle of my Murph Journey!

Now, I know what you're thinking - "What, exactly, is the "Murph?" Well, let me explain it to you.

The Murph is one heck of an endurance workout, consisting of the following:

1) 1-mile run
2) 100 pull-ups
3) 200 push-ups
4) 300 squats
5) 1-mile run

If that doesn't sound intense enough, a true Murph is done with a 20-pound backpack!  I initially learned about it from JFK Martial Arts Covington, LA. To learn more about the origin of the Murph, click here.

The full competition occurs every Memorial Day. I know that getting myself fully ready for the 2019 edition is unrealistic, so I am training for the 2020 edition. Having found plans for 3-week training, I figured 13 months would really help! :)

With that in mind, I recently purchased a pull-up bar to add those to my usual routine. This is what I accomplished on Saturday, May 11th 2019:

1-mile run (13:57)

4 sets of:

5 pull-ups
10 push-ups
15 squats

(I have read where many participating athletes break these down like this or similar. Some to break up the wear and tear on the targeted muscle sets, some to break up the boredom.)

1-mile run (13:24)

All-in-all, I'd say that's not to bad for a 42-year old (who has never been much of an athlete) making his first attempt.

Although, in the spirit of full disclosure, I know that more than a few of those pull-ups would not have been counted by a professional trainer because I either - a) did not get my chin all the way over the bar, b) did not extend all the way down, and/or c) my body was swaying too much!

Stay tuned as I continue to update my journey for the next 13 months. I plan to make an update every Saturday after my workout!

-The One-Eyed Tiger