Dara Torres, the 41-year-old mother of a 2-year-old, just won the 100-freestyle at the U.S. trials to reach the Olympics for a record fifth time. That's right - while the rest of us were splashing around in a wading pool with our water wings on, Torres was kicking butt at a pool in Omaha, winning the 100-meter-freestyle in 53.78 seconds. Damn - it takes me around fifteen minutes just to get across the pool using my swim fins and a water noodle.
Torres, who swam in her first Olympic games in 1984, came out of a
seven-year retirement last year. This was her first Olympic trials in
eight years.
Torres held daughter Tessa during the emotional awards ceremony on the pool deck. She says she was thinking about her late father, Edward, who died a year and a half ago before she could tell him about her comeback plans.
"I was feeling he was with me in that race and really feeling him at the end," she said. "I was trying to hold a brave face while I was out there because I didn't want anyone to see me crying."
This story totally inspires me. The next time I'm at the pool, I'm going to put down my daiquiri, get off my floating barcalounger and do a couple of laps.
Source
