Smoking fast!!!

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:45:39 GMT

I talked to Dara during the 2004 Olympic trials. She has always been one of the most beautiful women swimmers of all time. But she made it clear to me that although she does weights, her stretching program is what makes her fast. I still have the card from her stretching guru somewhere, he was going to write a book. Stretching has really come forwards to complement weight training.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Karen Duggan — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:43:18 GMT

Even as a new mother, it probably isn't too big a deal to carve out two hours a day to train. Ooh, gotta disagree with THAT one. I don't care how elite, talented, or determined you are, 2 hours is a huge chunk of time you are not with your baby. However, if they sleep the same two hours every day... :lmao: Yea, right. It's all about priorities isn't it? And BTW, I thought Jenny looked far more flustered when Dara showed up, not the other way around.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

swimr4life — Tue, 08 May 2007 12:04:33 GMT

Okay, Jane you’re crazy.:dunno: I have not analyzed Dara’s training regime from 20 years ago and today, so I can’t really comment about any changes she has made to account for the improvement. However, if you look at 50 times for elite swimmers in general, you may notice that there has been a marked drop in records and overall performance. This is frequently attributed to greater focus on weight training and technique. Are Dara and her coaches taking advantages of the advances in training? I’d hope so, or she should fire her coach. Is it OK to inject or ingest a performance enhancing substance just because it isn't banned YET? Do you have any performance enhancing substance in mind? As a matter of full disclosure, I readily admit that I ingest performance enhancing substances that have not yet been banned. I often drink water and eat food. Both of these are proven performance enhancers. Pro-Dara??? I prefer to believe I have a presumption of innocence. Just because a swimmer is fast, doesn’t mean he or she cheats. Maybe they are just working hard. However if you or anyone has evidence of cheating, then it should be brought forward. Cheating should not be tolerated and neither should making spurious accusations. I agree wholeheartedly with you Rob! Here is a woman who is a role model for females of all ages. :bow:

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Mon, 07 May 2007 07:13:39 GMT

Dara went a 22.6 when she was a 16 year old struggling with anorexia. This is hardly surprising. It is fun to imagine what she would have been had she trained properly in her prime.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Mon, 07 May 2007 06:25:24 GMT

You guys all seem Pro Dara - call me crazy, but doesn't this seems just a little unnatural to anyone? And here is a question to think about. Is it OK to inject or ingest a performance enhancing substance just because it isn't banned YET? My guess is that all her money buys access to the latest and greatest in performance enhancement or the ones already out there. After chasing infertility for years you would thing she would enjoy time with her baby rather than seeking the media attention this is going to generate. I think the media blitz surrounding her biggest rival, Jenny Thompson's return to the Athens Olympics was too much for her to handle! I think her desire for this level of attention is pathetic. What do you think... Her times are incredible and the question of performance enhancing substances is a natural one to ask. Based on pictures though she certainly doesn't look like the East German girls of decades ago. She hasn't developed a massive head like Barry Bonds. She will get tested in world class competition and we'll see how that plays out. If somehow we learn she is cheating I hope she is disgraced forever. As for her desire for attention....that is a silly comment. She didn't issue a press release or go on Bill Costas' show. I think she is simply a competitor. She likes racing and winning. She's highly motivated - as most elite athletes are. So what? Even as a new mother, it probably isn't too big a deal to carve out two hours a day to train. As it is - her recent swimming is exciting and I look forward to her attempt to get to the Olympics (hopefully cleanly).

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Mon, 07 May 2007 06:02:30 GMT

Maybe her technique is better now. Maybe these speed suits really are faster. Maybe her training now is better for her in the 50. Maybe the fact she was way ahead of everyone at the turn helped. . So why aren't more 40 somethings having the same success? Improved technique, better suits, and better training are not things that are hard to come by for determined swimmers. I am not saying she is juicing, but I will say that it seems odd.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Mon, 07 May 2007 05:59:00 GMT

Maybe her technique is better now. Maybe these speed suits really are faster. Maybe her training now is better for her in the 50. naaahhhhhhhhhhhh!

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Mon, 07 May 2007 05:37:19 GMT

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Mon, 07 May 2007 05:14:02 GMT

Masters swimming doesn't drug test and that is a fact. If she swims in USS meets she is subject to random drug testing. She can do anything she wants right now since she is off the radar. Does this ability of hers to swim a personal best in Feb 07 and then knock almost a half second off her time seem unnatural to anyone but me? How is she defying that natural aging process that the rest of us can't seen to win. Urine tests detect so little these days - How about lie detector tests for athletes? Do you HGH????

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Rob Copeland — Mon, 07 May 2007 03:18:31 GMT

call me crazyOkay, Jane you’re crazy.:dunno: I have not analyzed Dara’s training regime from 20 years ago and today, so I can’t really comment about any changes she has made to account for the improvement. However, if you look at 50 times for elite swimmers in general, you may notice that there has been a marked drop in records and overall performance. This is frequently attributed to greater focus on weight training and technique. Are Dara and her coaches taking advantages of the advances in training? I’d hope so, or she should fire her coach. Is it OK to inject or ingest a performance enhancing substance just because it isn't banned YET? Do you have any performance enhancing substance in mind? As a matter of full disclosure, I readily admit that I ingest performance enhancing substances that have not yet been banned. I often drink water and eat food. Both of these are proven performance enhancers. Pro-Dara??? I prefer to believe I have a presumption of innocence. Just because a swimmer is fast, doesn’t mean he or she cheats. Maybe they are just working hard. However if you or anyone has evidence of cheating, then it should be brought forward. Cheating should not be tolerated and neither should making spurious accusations.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

knelson — Mon, 07 May 2007 02:30:45 GMT

So why aren't more 40 somethings having the same success? Improved technique, better suits, and better training are not things that are hard to come by for determined swimmers. I am not saying she is juicing, but I will say that it seems odd. I bet there are some 40 year olds setting personal bests, the difference is none of them are multi-time Olympians! I admit it's an amazing accomplishment, but Dara has shown the ability to swim fast at every stage of her career since she first came onto the scene as a teenager.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

knelson — Mon, 07 May 2007 01:26:25 GMT

Maybe her technique is better now. Maybe these speed suits really are faster. Maybe her training now is better for her in the 50. Maybe the fact she was way ahead of everyone at the turn helped. Yes, it's phenomenal she set a personal best at age 40, but I don't think it's "unnatural." The bottom line is she'll have to pass drug tests if she wants to make a run at the Olympics next year. I'd be surprised if we see a drop off in her speed between now and Olympic Trials. That, of course, doesn't prove she isn't doping, but it's as much proof as we have for every other athlete.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

knelson — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:55:34 GMT

I bet there will be some people who feels she's "stealing" a spot from a younger athlete who hasn't been to the Olympics before. Just to say "I told ya so," here's a quote from someone using the ID "50M Warrior" on Timed Finals about Dara: If Dara does squeak onto yet another OLY team, which is what this post originally brought up, she deprives one or more Olympic hopefuls of fulfilling their lifetime dream, one they have struggled mightily to achieve. Sure, it’s “fair” that she makes it onto the team, but is it right? Is it…decent? Here's the full story with all the comments: www.timedfinals.com/.../

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 12:19:50 GMT

Exactly. Read the comments when you have the time because they will piss you off. Read 'em. Some comments are so outrageous, those individuals carry 0% credibility with me. GO DARA!!! Great site though. Thanks for sending the link.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

knelson — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:03:21 GMT

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Karen Duggan — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:00:20 GMT

I don't have time to read that article now, but I already know the answer. How is she depriving someone else of their chance? Can't they beat her? Oh, they can't? THEN THEY SHOULDN'T BE ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM!!! Give me a break. I hate to open this can of worms, but it's almost age discrimination against Dara. "Oh, yes you are the fastest, but you've already been to the Olympics, let someone younger go instead." What crap is that?!? Dara, you make that Olympic team, girl! I want to see your baby in the stands cheering you on! OK, they're probably too young to know, but you get the idea ;) PS In 2012 your baby will be 4, that's old enough to know! Swim in that one too :woot:

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:07:02 GMT

Speaking of older athletes who accel, here is a link to Ray Sharp's blog. Ray was my roomie when we lived at the Olympic Training Center. He is now 46 or 47 and still making U.S. teams in racewalking. He has a shot at the Oly team in the 50k walk. He's also a wonderful person.www.rayswalkingdigest.com -LBJ

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:07:57 GMT

The USA history for 50 SCY Free is available here. Her 21.91 ties for 12th fastest ever. It is faster than her previous lifetime best of 22.26. Dara's time is faster than Natalie Coughlin's best! Simply stunning.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:36:35 GMT

If she makes the team, by finishing top 2 or 6, I don't understand how that can be considered stealing a spot, when she met the guidelines. If a younger person felt they deserve the spot, then they should trainer harder to earn it.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Former Member — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:37:36 GMT

Once Dara retired the last time, she signed a retirement form in essence. If a swimmer decides to un-retire, they must notify FINA and USA swimming about their intentions to try to compete at the elite level again. Once this has happened, they are put back on the drug testing list. Before they can compete in swim meets for their respective federations, they must go through a nine month waiting period. Her 9 month period will be up sometime this summer or early fall. The rule requiring her to wait only applies to USA swimming not masters swimming. That is why she hasn't been in any USA meets. I actually met her masters coach in Coral Springs in Dec. He said once the waiting period is over, she will be in USA meets.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

FlyQueen — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:33:18 GMT

Kirk that drives me nuts ... one thing I LOVE about swimming is how clear cut it is ... top 2 (or 6) go ... If Dara is top 2 or 6 then she deserves to make the team AND what an inspiration to the other swimmers that it's not over when you're 20 or 25 or whatever ...

RE: Smoking fast!!!

knelson — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:23:10 GMT

RE: Smoking fast!!!

The Fortress — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:19:43 GMT

That's a feat for a guy let alone the woman! Yep. My husband had to wait on me while I was on bed rest for baby #3. My own training regime was lifting water and food to my mouth and holding a book. Oh, and taking RX drugs. It was so rigorous that I finally decided to become two people again. Then my husband went back to training. I started my un-rigorous swimming regimen about 5 years later. I hope Dara kicks ass.

RE: Smoking fast!!!

jonblank — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:13:58 GMT

I wonder how hard Dara has been training to this point? If she's only semi-serious at this point look out! It will be interesting to see what happens if she does make the Olympic team. I think most people will be impressed and very supportive, but I bet there will be some people who feels she's "stealing" a spot from a younger athlete who hasn't been to the Olympics before. They might say the same thing about 40 year old Gail Devers, who's back in great form at age 40 in the "dryland" sprint events. Hers is an amazing story as well - she had a severe health issue, yet now at age 40 is on top of the world again in the sprints. I would love to see Devers make the 08 Olympic team in track and Torres make the 08 Olympic team in swimming. That would show those young upstarts!

RE: Smoking fast!!!

Karen Duggan — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:05:46 GMT

"Oh grasshopper (aka Swim Stud), you are very wise, indeed." :notworthy: