BRYONY GORDON: I kept my thrilling and shameful gym secret to myself, hiding it even from my husband. Then I discovered the truth
Anything other than the monotonous act of standing with the balls of my feet on a step, lifting onto my toes, then slowly dropping back down, over and over again, as if I had nothing better to do with my time. But then I hit middle-age, and it turned out that if I wanted to keep up my favourite hobby – running – and prevent my knees from collapsing in on themselves, then calf raises were exactly what I had to do.
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Reuters
43 minutes ago
- Reuters
MLB roundup: Tigers nip Astros 1-0 in 10
August 20 - Gleyber Torres walked with the bases loaded in the 10th inning as the host Detroit Tigers edged the slumping Houston Astros 1-0 on Tuesday night. With two outs, Torres took a 3-2 pitch from Kaleb Ort (2-2), who issued two other walks (one intentional) in the inning. Automatic runner Wenceel Perez scored the lone run. The game featured a pitchers' duel between American League All-Stars Hunter Brown and Tarik Skubal. Houston's Brown gave up five hits and struck out six in six innings, while Skubal limited the Astros to three hits and fanned 10 in seven innings. Will Vest (6-2) pitched the last two innings to pick up the win. Houston was shut out for the fourth time in five games and hasn't scored a run in 28 innings. Braves 11, White Sox 10 Drake Baldwin delivered a two-run single with two outs in the eighth inning as Atlanta rallied from a six-run deficit to beat visiting Chicago. The Braves scored five runs in the seventh to pull within 10-9 before capping the rally on Baldwin's bases-loaded single to right. Michael Harris II and Jurickson Profar each delivered a two-run homer as Atlanta posted its sixth win in seven games. Kyle Teel hit a two-run homer and drove in four runs while Luis Robert Jr. contributed a three-run double for the White Sox, who won the series opener 13-9 on Monday. Mets 8, Nationals 1 David Peterson struck out a season-high 10 batters over eight innings and Mark Vientos belted a two-run homer to highlight a five-run third, fueling New York past host Washington. Peterson (8-5) permitted one run on four hits while improving to 7-1 vs. the Nationals in his career. Solo homers from Jeff McNeil, Brett Baty and Juan Soto helped the Mets post their third straight win following a 2-14 slide. Nationals starter Jake Irvin (8-8) gave up six runs on eight hits over six innings. Phillies 6, Mariners 4 J.T. Realmuto slugged a two-run homer in the eighth to lift Philadelphia over visiting Seattle. Kyle Schwarber delivered his 44th homer while Bryson Stott also went deep. Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez struck out 12 over 6 1/3 innings while allowing six hits and two runs. David Robertson (1-0) threw a perfect eighth and Jhoan Duran (22nd save) set down the side in the ninth. Eugenio Suarez went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for the Mariners, who lost for the sixth time in seven games. Starter Bryce Miller allowed four runs over five innings in his first appearance since June 6. Matt Brash (1-2) surrendered Realmuto's game-winning blast. Blue Jays 7, Pirates 3 Alejandro Kirk homered, scored three runs and drove in three to pace Toronto to the victory at Pittsburgh. Max Scherzer (4-2) picked up his 220th career win as he allowed one run on four hits over six innings. George Springer went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, while Nathan Lukes added two hits and two RBIs. Pirates starter Mitch Keller (5-12) left with one out in the fourth after surrendering five runs on seven hits. Bryan Reynolds, Nick Gonzales and Joey Bart posted two hits apiece. Cubs 6, Brewers 4 (Game 1) Rookie Owen Caissie hit his first major league home run and drove in three runs in Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader, helping Chicago post a victory over visiting Milwaukee. Willi Castro belted a three-run homer for the Cubs. Chicago starter Matthew Boyd (12-6) threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Daniel Palencia pitched into and out of a ninth-inning jam for his 17th save. Christian Yelich went deep for the Brewers, while Sal Frelick had two hits and two RBIs. Chad Patrick (3-8) gave up five runs (three earned) on five hits in five innings. Cubs 4, Brewers 1 (Game 2) Jameson Taillon threw six quality innings and Michael Busch drove in two runs as Chicago beat visiting Milwaukee to complete a doubleheader sweep. Taillon (8-6) allowed one run on five hits in his return from the injured list, having recovered from a right calf strain that kept him out since late June. Andrew Kittredge threw a perfect ninth inning for his second save. Brandon Woodruff (4-1) surrendered three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings for the Brewers, who dropped back-to-back games for the first time since July 25-26. Cardinals 7, Marlins 4 Ivan Herrera drove in three runs with a pair of hits to lead St. Louis over host Miami. Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy (5-2) allowed six hits and four runs (three earned) in six innings, and Riley O'Brien earned his second save with a scoreless ninth. St. Louis pounded out 12 hits, including 11 singles, with Thomas Saggese going 3-for-4. Marlins starter Edward Cabrera (6-7) lasted just 4 1/3 innings while allowing season-highs in hits (11) and runs (six, four earned). Xavier Edwards had two hits and scored twice for Miami, and Otto Lopez drove in a pair. Royals 5, Rangers 2 Bobby Witt Jr. clubbed his 100th career homer, Vinnie Pasquantino and Mike Yastrzemski also went deep, as Kansas City edged Texas. Royals starter Seth Lugo yielded only two runs, on solo homers to Corey Seager and Joc Pederson, in 6 1/3 innings. Angel Zerpa (4-1) threw 1 2/3 innings in relief, and John Schreiber handled the ninth inning for his first save of the year. Lugo dueled with Rangers' new acquisition Merrill Kelly, whose only hits allowed in six innings were two homers. Reliever Hoby Milner (1-3) gave up three hits and a run without recording an out. Orioles 4, Red Sox 3 (11 innings) Samuel Basallo hit a go-ahead groundout in the 11th inning as visiting Baltimore defeated Boston. The Orioles earned their sixth win in seven games despite being out-hit 8-6. Baltimore's Ryan Mountcastle and Colton Cowser had a hit and an RBI. Yennier Cano (2-6) tossed a scoreless 10th inning, and Corbin Martin posted his second save. In his first Red Sox start, Nathaniel Lowe hit a game-tying, two-run home run to right in the ninth inning. Roman Anthony, Connor Wong and Romy Gonzalez all had two hits for Boston, which has lost three in a row. Garrett Whitlock (5-3) yielded an unearned run in the 11th. Dodgers 11, Rockies 4 Alex Call and Shohei Ohtani homered and Emmet Sheehan tossed six solid innings as Los Angeles topped Colorado in Denver. Call tied a career high with four hits, including a double and two singles to along with the home run. Will Smith had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won four of their last five games after a four-game skid. Sheehan (4-2) allowed four runs on six hits and struck out seven. Kyle Karros hit his first major league home run while Brenton Doyle also went deep for the Rockies, who had their four-game winning streak snapped. Austin Gomber (0-7) allowed seven runs on nine hits in three innings. Athletics 6, Twins 3 Shea Langeliers hit a two-run homer, Brett Harris drove in a pair of runs and the Athletics beat Minnesota in Minneapolis. Nick Kurtz finished 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI for the Athletics, who earned their fourth win in five games. Jacob Lopez (7-6) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings, and Hogan Harris pitched a perfect inning for his first career save. Brooks Lee and Ryan Jeffers each hit a solo home run for the Twins, who have lost four of five. Joe Ryan (12-6) surrendered five runs (two earned) on six hits in four innings. --Field Level Media
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Tear-jerking moment 11-year-old calls her father with news she's getting a donor heart after 300 days on waitlist
A young girl from Ohio wasted no time calling her father just seconds after learning she would be receiving a new heart. Ava Cooper, 11, has battled multiple serious heart defects since she was just six days old - including a hole in her heart, a heart positioned on the opposite side of her chest, reversed pumping chambers, and a missing or blocked pulmonary valve, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Despite undergoing multiple open-heart surgeries by the age of five, Ava's health began to rapidly decline in the summer of 2024 - prompting doctors to conclude that a heart transplant was her best chance for survival. After spending nearly 300 days at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, the moment Ava and her family had been waiting for finally arrived - a donor heart had become available. Ava was sitting on her hospital bed, unaware that the life-changing news she was about to receive - and her emotional reaction - was about to be lovingly captured on video. In the clip, Ava appears to be on a video chat with her father when a nurse approaches her bedside, smiling brightly as she leans in to whisper something in her ear. Immediately, Ava's hands flew to her mouth in disbelief, her eyes widening as she quickly scanned the room, searching for confirmation of what she was hearing. 'Daddy,' she said into her iPad, her voice trembling with excitement. 'I'm getting a heart.' Her father, clearly as stunned as Ava, responded, 'What?!' 'I'm getting a heart!' she exclaimed, beaming from ear to ear as someone else in the room let out tears of joy. 'I was so excited and couldn't believe it was actually happening,' Ava told the Cleveland Clinic after hearing the news. Dr. Madeleine Townsend, part of Ava's care team, said she wanted to let Ava be the one to share the news herself. 'I whispered it to Ava because I really wanted her to be the one to tell her parents,' she said. 'Getting to see Ava's smile that day is one of the best parts of my job.' Sean Cooper, Ava's father, shared in the excitement during the call, his voice breaking with emotion as tears welled up upon hearing that his daughter would have a new lease on life. 'The hospital had become our second home, so hearing Ava say those words, "I'm getting a heart," was overwhelming,' Sean told Cleveland Clinic. 'After everything she'd been through, we were finally one step closer to coming home for good.' Ava's health journey began almost from the moment she was born, undergoing her first heart surgery just days after entering the world. 'After she was born, Ava had to be immediately flown to another hospital,' Jamie Cooper, her mother, told the outlet. 'I didn't even get the chance to spend time with her,' she added. Although a total of four open-heart surgeries seemed to stabilize her condition by the time she was five, Ava only remained symptom-free until the summer of last year. 'Ava started getting sick. I was noticing her waking up with facial swelling, not able to lay flat all the way, having a hard time breathing,' Jamie said. 'Her doctors at the time determined she was in heart failure.' It was at this point that Ava was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Children's, where a specialized team - including two pediatric heart function and transplant cardiologists - took over her care. They quickly determined that a heart transplant was the best option, concluding that further surgeries would no longer improve her long-term quality of life. In September 2024, at just 10 years old, Ava was officially placed on the heart transplant waiting list. While in the hospital, her health had its ups and downs - she needed oxygen to breathe, a feeding tube for nutrition, and a Berlin Heart device to help her heart pump blood. 'We had Sunday dinners, threw a birthday party for Ava's sister in her hospital room and even brought up presents to open on Christmas morning. We were still trying to find ways to create memories together,' Jamie recalled. One of Ava's most treasured memories came in February 2025, when hospital staff transformed her room into a special father-daughter dance venue, knowing she would miss the one she usually attends at that time of year. 'It's now one of the best memories I have with Ava, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who came together to make it possible,' Sean said. Less than a month after what Ava called her 'magical and cool' father-daughter dance, the hospital received a heart that would soon be hers. On March 6, Ava underwent the transplant surgery and emerged with a brand-new heart. She spent the next month in the hospital recovering. Her doctor explained that because she had been in heart failure for almost a year, her body needed time to heal. 'I was so excited to be back in my own bedroom and be able to see my dog Rocky again,' Ava told Cleveland Clinic. By April 10, Ava was finally able to go home for the first time in months. 'Even though I missed my whole fourth-grade class, I'm excited I'm able to see my friends, go on field trips and do art projects again,' Ava said.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Reds score two in the ninth for their third straight win
August 20 - TJ Friedl drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and Gavin Lux followed with an insurance RBI double as the Cincinnati Reds won their third straight game, 6-4 over the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., on Tuesday night. Miguel Andujar went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs, Noelvi Marte homered, doubled and drove in two runs, and Elly De La Cruz scored twice for Cincinnati, which won its 10th straight game against the Angels. Luis Mey (2-0) picked up the win in relief and Tony Santillan notched his fourth save with two strikeouts during a 1-2-3 ninth. Hunter Greene, making his second start after missing a little over two months with a right groin strain, allowed three runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings while tying a season high with 12 strikeouts. He threw 98 pitches, 74 for strikes. Jo Adell hit two home runs and had three hits and Mike Trout went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored for Los Angeles. Kenley Jansen (5-3) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on two hits, a hit batter and a walk in one inning of relief. Los Angeles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Trout doubled with two outs and scored on a single by Taylor Ward. Cincinnati tied it in the second on Marte's 10th home run, a 415-foot drive to dead center to extend his hit streak to 10 games. The Reds took a 3-1 lead in the fourth. De La Cruz led off with a single and scored on a bloop double to left by Andujar. Austin Hays walked and Marte followed with an RBI double down the right field line. Cincinnati extended the lead to 4-1 in the fifth when De La Cruz walked with two outs and, running on the pitch, scored from first on Andujar's single to right. Los Angeles cut the lead to 4-3 in the seventh when Adell led off with a 452-foot homer to left-center and Zach Neto singled in Travis d'Arnaud, who had doubled. Adell then tied it 4-4 with two out in the eighth with his second homer of the night -- a 371-foot line drive down the left field line -- off Mey. It was his 28th homer of the season. The Reds then scored twice off Jansen to pull out the win in the ninth. Jose Trevino blooped a single with one out, went to second when Ke'Bryan Hayes was hit by a pitch and took third when pinch hitter Will Benson walked to load the bases. Friedl then drove in the game-winner with his sacrifice fly to center. --Field Level Media
