Fall News from the FFH
I love when data supports the story I want to be true! " A long-term study at Indiana University Bloomington’s Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming found that Masters Swimmers (over age 35) who swam roughly 3,200 to 4,500 metres (about 3.2 to 4.8 kilometres) three to five times a week, postponed the aging process. And not just for a few years but for decades, according to traditional age markers like muscle mass blood pressure and lung function. "
FFH have been running, eating, swimming together. We have been supporting one other and helping with each others' communities-- all over Western Pa (and Ohio!). Two teams with FFH were among those who ran the Great Allegheny Passage GAP relay!! Teams started in Cumberland, MD and ran the Great Allegheny Passage - a rails to trails conversion - over 150 miles back to Pittsburgh. Team of either 4 or 8 - both the FFH represented teams were teams of 8 - ran in relay style through the night, and completed the adventure in ~ 22 hours! Volunteer support and P3R coordination was unbelievable for an inaugural event. A painful, but very enjoyable experience. Teams will likely form soon for next year so talk to the runners! (Dave Work, Kara Hughan, Chip Burke). See Chip featured in this piece on CBS-- live footage!!!
We had our first first timers swim October 17, 2018 and are so proud of those of you who jumped in and have kept at it. Swimming isn't easy. New things aren't easy. Don't give up. We look to do another one in January. Stay tuned.
Sarah Woodings won her age group in the Columbia Marathon (sub 330...). Of course she didn't have a team of people and didn't take selfies along the way, we have no digital evidence. (We don't doubt it though...) Dave Rogers then ran the Buffalo Creek half marathon and placed second in his age group that same weekend.
FFH supported FCKW and attended the dine and donate hosted by FFH Jackie Cagley and her husband at their restaurant, Zoup. Thanks to Jackie for supporting us through FCKW. And thanks to all of you who attended.
More runners ran the EQT Pittsburgh 10 miler downtown last weekend -- reports are that the runners were met with bright, sunny skies that gave way to an awesome run that started at Sheraton Square and wrapped through the North Side and down into the Strip District, down and back into the city to an energetic finish on Liberty Ave. FFH runners including Chip Burke (25th in his AG), Dave Rogers (13th in his AG) and Debbie Guild 8th in hers. Their TTP and FFH coach Matt was running (reporter Debbie Guild does inform me that his was the best run) and proud--- cheers to all!
And because we do social so well, a crew of FFH met for dinner at Gators last Friday night. Always so lovely to see people with dry hair, and in clothing.
Our sympathies go out to Mike Black on the death of his grand-mother and to Jay Gibb on the death of his father. And to all of our Jewish community and the Squirrel Hill community-- and much of all of Pittsburgh. All of us have been touched in some way by the most recent shooting at Tree of Life Temple in Squirrel Hill. Watching Pittsburgh stand together has been humbling.
Our thoughts are with Ron Morosky and Debbie Guild as they go through surgeries this week, and we hope that Nancy Foster continues to heal as she recovers from hers.
I leave you with FFH (she hasn't been in the pool with us in some time) Erinn Batykefer's poem.
“Pittsburgh As A Self Portrait”
Keep me in the hollows and the valleys,
Let there be churches in the marketplace and small red boats on the Allegheny.
Let the funicular climb its mountain at dusk
and seven-hundred bridges light
the rivers, revealing the city’s dark wishbone.
Let me see my face there, mirrored, mapped in lights.
I am far-flung and kneeling over memory’s holystone to pray :
let each open space be made of water.
Let every road go unnamed.
Let the land be so steep that houses teeter on stilts.
Wherever I am, let the half-life of this city in my skin
be longer than I’ll live.
Written by Erinn Batykefer.
