Dara Torres talks about life post-Olympics
Posted by Lorrie Lynch
I'm so jealous! My colleague Brian Truitt just got off the phone with Olympic silver-medalist Dara Torres (at right). Brian is writing the story that will go with our Sept. 28 cover on Torres, the 41-year-old swimmer who came home from Beijing with three silver medals. Here's Brian's report:
"Torres is as animated out of the pool as she is in it. My piece is for our annual women’s health issue but Torres is a role model for men and women of all ages. Although Michael Phelps was THE swim star for the Americans in China, Torres’ three silvers were nothing to sneeze at, as the five-time Olympian added to her overall medal count of 12. Her performance in the pool is an inspiration for everyone — heck, I WISH I was in that good a shape.
"We talked about her motherhood – she’s the proud mom of 2 1/2 –year-old Tessa (also at right) – and her workout regimen, which eschews weights for resistance stretch training emphasizing strength and muscle recovery. Torres just got back to her Florida home last week, although today she’s in Los Angeles for Access Hollywood and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which will be her first public appearance since the Olympics. Asked about being a celebrity, she laughs at the thought. 'I’m not really used to it. It’s a little different for me.'
"Torres hasn’t been in a pool since her last relay race in Beijing, and she’s itching to get back – but she injured her thumb in that final race ('Just some ligament damage,' she reports) and is having shoulder surgery on Wednesday. Not that she’s been resting since she returned home. Spending time with her daughter has been the main focus, but Torres also is preparing for speeches and appearances she’ll be doing in the coming months. Also, she says she’ll be writing a memoir for next year and a fitness/lifestyle book for 2010. Torres hasn’t ruled out using all her experience as a swim coach one day. 'I give swim clinics and that’s been fun, to give back to the sport,' she says. 'Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m creative enough to think of a bunch of different things to do for people. I know what I know and what I’ve done, but I do like helping people.' ”
(photo courtesy daratorres.com)
Comments (1)
Its always great to read uplifting articles about mature strong women. I cannot wait until the article on September 28th. I think we can all learn from her dedication and be inspired to hit the gym. As she has stated numerous times, its all about the muscle recovery. Personally I have found a all natural supplement to help me hit the gym. Of course there are many ways to recovery, including everything from LOTS of water, to your daily diet. Although I found that if I have little to no muscle pain after a workout, I feel much more like going to the gym. The one I found is a product called ARX, from www.fastertomorrow.com. If you read the science behind this, it makes perfect sense and its all natural.
Good luck to all in your personal journey to optimal health.