On the morning of September 11, hundreds gathered on the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s Lower Yard to watch participants compete in a “Modified Murph,” CrossFit event as part of Mental Wellness week.
The “Modified Murphy” Cross Fit event was named after Lt. Michael P. Murphy who sacrificed his life on June 28, 2005 to save the lives of his seal team members during the take down of a warlord during “Operation Red Wing”.
In a collaboration effort, SQ’s Exercise Movement Class, Veterans Group, Medical and Mental Health staff and residents promoted the importance of mental health and fitness while competing in some friendly competition.
“It was fun and challenging,” said resident Chris VanOurkerk. “My goal is to interact with people and push myself outside my comfort zone to improve my health.”
Not being able to exercise while housed in county jail for thirteen months, VanOurkerk said it almost broke him mentally. He added that having access to SQ’s yard and the ability to participate in events like this help encourage social interaction and fitness.
The CrossFit competition included forty-two participants divided into 14 randomized teams of 3, made up of SQ residents, staff and outside guests.
The relay style event involved the shared responsibility of each team to complete a specific number of repetitions and exercises at five separate stations. The exercises consisted of a 1-mile run, medicine ball squats, push-ups, pull-ups and a final 1-mile run.
The Murphy Run events are regularly held across the United States as a tribute to the heroism of the soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his countryman.
Winning the day’s competition after two heats, A. Gomez, 28, G. Madera, 30, and A. Munoz, 30, finished with the time 22.12 were, Second place finishers were L. Sale, 40, C. Dominguez, 28, and O. Galiciajuarez, 25, with a time of 23:55, and coming in third, B. Tomizaki, 24, J. Fajardo, 44, and E. Martinez, 42, finished with a time of 24:13.
Organizers of the event, SQ residents David Richard, Jessy Zetino and Alex Yohn said they work with physical therapists Tianna Meriage and Michele Wilson as SQRC Medical Recreation Aids and EMC instructors for the diabetic and geriatrics fitness program.
The goal of SQ’s EMC program is to encourage residents to use physical fitness to help combat the long-term effects of diabetes, mobility issues and over all general health.
Resident instructor Zetino said the program’s mission has grown to encourage the entire SQ community to work towards a healthy lifestyle that combines social interaction, physical fitness and learning the importance of nutrition.
“The foods you consume have a direct impact on your physical and mental health,” Zetino said. “When you eat healthy, you feel healthy, and you will be more motivated to do daily activities.”
Acting as an event line judge, SQ resident Rob Rios, 53, said he is a Type 2 diabetic and one of the first residents to join the EMC program. He said during the last twelve months his A1C level dropped from 9.2 to 7.1 and his weight lowered from 241 pounds to 215.
Rios enjoys the program because it forces him to get out of his cell and be more social. Since becoming an EMC member, his health has improved and it allowed him to become part of a community that has a lot in common.
Surprised by the number of diabetics who continue to consume sodas and other sugary foods despite their diagnoses, Rios said he has witnessed a transformation by those who have joined the program and then learned about the importance of consuming a proper diet. He said once a month the class teaches nutrition, portion size and proper calorie intake.
“It’s cool because the instructors meet you where you’re at physically,” Rios said. “They really know how to get the best out of you without pushing you too far.”
Rios said having events like “Modified Murph” CrossFit competition are important because they promote everything the EMC class stands for, physical fitness, healthy eating habits and building a stronger community.