Uncle Rhabdo

We have one workout on Monday, Monday at 8 am, and it’s not Murph. 

The Murph workout has the focus of Memorial Day for the past 11 years of my life, so not having it on the schedule is somewhat disappointing.

We are rescheduling Murph for July 4th for the following two reasons.

First, we were unsure of when we would open, and now with the phase 2 restrictions, we can only have 15 people in the gym at once. Murph is a big community and family event, and we have had up to 100 people in the past. With the state’s restrictions we had no time to promote it, and with only 15 people, it wouldn’t be the same.

The second is something that I’ve rarely mentioned is the risk of Rhabdo. Its something I discuss with new people on Memorial Day, but its also something I’ve never written about until now. 

If you don’t know what Rhabdo is, here is a brief description from the CrossFit journal.

“We can dispense with much medical detail with “a quick and easy description of rhabdomyolysis as a potentially lethal systemic meltdown initiated by the kidneys in response to the presence of shed muscle-fiber debris and exhaust in the bloodstream. There are several causes and types of rhabdo, classified by the underlying cause of muscle breakdown. With CrossFit, we are dealing with what is known as exertional rhabdomyolysis. It can disable, maim, and even kill.” While that may be potentially frightening and does not sound good, it is also very rare.”

I’ve personally seen a few cases throughout the years and have met others who experienced and read many more stories.

I’m writing about this now because all of these cases have a few things in common.

• Experienced CrossFit athlete gets injured and takes some time off and pushes themselves as hard as they did before their injury.
• Experienced CrossFit athlete backs off their regular workout routine for two or three months and pushes themselves as hard as they did before the time off.
• Workouts that include 100 or more pullups
• Athletes were overemphasizing the eccentric or down motion on said 100 pullups, thus severely overworking and damaging their biceps.  

So when you combine the COVID 19 lockdown, closing of the gym, and top off with a workout with 100 pullups, you have a recipe for Rhabdo.

If you are planning on doing Murph anywhere else this weekend, our advice is to follow the gym’s programming and wait to get back in shape for July 4th.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend, and remember it’s about honoring our American heroes who paid the ultimate price for our flag and freedom.

Thanks

Scott Lofquist CCFT

Head Coach CrossFit I35

PS. If you want a more scientific definition along with symptoms CLICK HERE.  Here’s a tip it doesn’t always come with brown or cola-colored urine.