Well wishes for Mishka!
We’d like to extend The very best wishes to Mishka Murad – Pakistan’s National Champion. Mishka just recently came to Southie and we have seen her working hard, hours on end with a smile and amazing work ethic. She has a pretty incredible story, read on for how she came to be Pakistan’s National Champion! The games start for Mishka on Thursday and we will post the timeline once it’s available!
I grew up in Karachi, Pakistan and lived here until I left for college in 2003, and I did not grow up playing sports. In fact, I remember my PE teacher in 8 th grade asking the girls to sit on the side because girls running was considered “immodest.” Nor, did I really see other women playing much sport or partaking in physical activities for pleasure. At one point Karachi was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and keeping women and children safe (and usually indoors) was not just a cultural and religious decision, but a matter of safety too. At a very young age I learned very quickly that there were set paths for boys and girls. But, I always felt something was amiss.
It was in Mexico that I began my CrossFit journey. I had never visited the country, knew nothing about the culture, and spoke no Spanish. But I knew that hearing the same words over and over, and seeing the same people over and over, would be beneficial both in learning Spanish & in making friends. At Distrito CrossFit in Guadalajara, I found a sense of belonging & I found home. After over 2 wonderful years in Mexico, I chose to quit a job I love, leave a country I love, and leave behind students who were like family, to pursue a doctoral degree in the US.
I haven’t lived a life with a background in gymnastics and cross-country running. My background is in dealing with sexual harassment both physical and verbal, in being told what I can and cannot do and wear, and in understanding that if I wanted my life to be different, there would be many consequences along the way. My CrossFit training has proven to me however, that with a physical strength comes a mental resilience as well. One that has kept me sane, kept me healthy, and kept me happy.
My win as a National Champion however, has shown me that not everyone will be in your corner, not everyone agrees that you deserve the joy you receive, while also teaching me that I really do not need to concern myself with people’s feelings of my (no doubt) 4 minutes of success. I bear no chip on my shoulder. I know there are plenty of people faster than me and stronger than me. I have seen this at every box I have been to, and even more so at CF Southie!
However here, I have found support & tricks & tips that the coaches (former CF athletes themselves!) have been able to provide that have helped me in so many ways. While I have only been at CrossFit Southie for a little over the two months, I have learned so much, and honestly felt so very welcome by the people I have met. Goose has unknowingly offered me words of wisdom that keep me moving on the hardest and dullest of days. Haley, Dani, Steve & Sebastian have given me insightful suggestions that have made a difference in my training & performance. And Natalee has been a life saver in taking care of my body!
But above all that, given that I have just recently moved to Cambridge, where I know 3 whole people, coming to CrossFit Southie has given me that sense of belonging that I crave and need to prosper. Not to be a cheeseball, but it is the truly the happiest part of my day. Even if the day holds thrusters and wallballs for me. Maybe next year, I’ll represent CF Southie at the Games…waddya say, Goose?
Warm-up
5-4-3-2-1
Burpee Pull-up
Front Squat
Strict Press
Strength
EMOM10
1 Squat Clean (mid-hang)
(above knee, full pause)
WOD
10 Shoulder to Overhead (115,75)
10 Burpee Lateral Jumps
10 Strict Pull-ups
15 Shoulder to Overhead
15 Burpee Lateral Jumps
15 Chest to Bar Pull-ups
20 Shoulder to Overhead
20 Burpee Lateral Jumps
20 Kipping Pull-ups
Level 2- 95, 50
Level 1- 75,35
ADV- 135,95, 20-25-30 Reps
Extra Work
40 Wallball (20/14)
30 GHD
20 Squat Clean Thruster (155/105)
30 GHD
40 Wallball
Scaled – 30-20-15-20-30