Dara just one the national title in the 100M Freestyle in 54.4 at the ripe old age of 40. Simply Incredible. :applaud: :woot:
If that's not inspiring I don't know what is.
It is a tough time for Dara. Ten years ago, before BALCO and the increased publicity surrounding doping in the Tour, we would have been more accepting. Another thing that hurts Dara is Dara. She is living an unconventional lifestyle for a 41 year old mother, is drawing attention to that fact, and is proud of it. If she was low-profile, got married right out of college, was still married to the same person, and had a couple of pre-teen or teenage kids, I think we might be quicker to embrace her. This is what society expects of a 41 year old woman.
Interestingly enough, from the folks I have talked to, the ones that are the hardest on Dara are women my age with an extensive swimming background, Dara's peers so to speak. Women, and I can say this since I am one, are the hardest on each other. We don't like it when one of our own doesn't conform to society's ideal.
I am a bit conservative, and being the mother of a son, I would want my son's wife at 41 to be a litte bit more focused on her home and her family. It is, however, Dara's life and she is free to do what she wants with it. I am just trying to analyze why so many people are being hard on her.
It is a tough time for Dara. Ten years ago, before BALCO and the increased publicity surrounding doping in the Tour, we would have been more accepting. Another thing that hurts Dara is Dara. She is living an unconventional lifestyle for a 41 year old mother, is drawing attention to that fact, and is proud of it. If she was low-profile, got married right out of college, was still married to the same person, and had a couple of pre-teen or teenage kids, I think we might be quicker to embrace her. This is what society expects of a 41 year old woman.
Interestingly enough, from the folks I have talked to, the ones that are the hardest on Dara are women my age with an extensive swimming background, Dara's peers so to speak. Women, and I can say this since I am one, are the hardest on each other. We don't like it when one of our own doesn't conform to society's ideal.
I am a bit conservative, and being the mother of a son, I would want my son's wife at 41 to be a litte bit more focused on her home and her family. It is, however, Dara's life and she is free to do what she wants with it. I am just trying to analyze why so many people are being hard on her.
