Shine chats with Dara Torres about age limits, dreams, and finding balance

Dara Torres, 41, chats with a 76-year-old swimmer/fan in the next lane at the Asphalt …Dara Torres is surrounded by moms, bloggers all, eating sushi and satay, talking about "The Bachelor" and "Dancing with the Stars." But all she really wants to do is sleep. She's tired. And, you know what? It's kind of comforting to know Torres, a five-time Olympian with 12 medals-four of them gold-gets tired, too.

Of course she does. The mom of a toddler (Tessa turns 3 this month) is on a media tour for her book, "Age Is Just a Number." At 41, she is spreading that message, giving all women hope that we can achieve, strive, do-be our best-at any age. We are happy to buy in. Only, one day, should you find yourself standing next to the beautifully toned and tanned Torres, you realize that, well, clearly not everyone is capable of such amazing feats at any age. But at least we can each keep trying, and never give up on ourselves... right?

Torres thought she was finished with swimming more than a few times in her life, and definitely after winning three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she was the oldest woman Olympic swimmer to compete. Ever. Then, after surgeries on her shoulder, knee, and thumb, she got back in the pool, and it felt good. So did getting down off the pedestal the media and fans put her on, she said, and writing candidly about her divorces, past bouts with bulimia, and dealing with her father's death.

Beyond swimming, she said she is not thinking about what she will do next, though she has done some sports broadcasting stints. And, one day this week, after a brief training swim at the Asphalt Green Aqua Center in Manhattan_cut short by a 76-year-old fan in the next lane who wanted to compare bodies_she is taking time from her training and her book tour to launch HP's "Moms for Simplicity" campaign. She is the face of the computing company's initiative to reach out to moms about their products, which can help manage busy lives. (A website and contest are on the way.)

We had the chance between her swim and the sushi to sit down with Torres, and talk about a few things-finding balance, how technology has made balance somewhat achievable, and about what's next for the 41-year-old wonder.

On balance: For Torres, balance is all about finding time with daughter Tessa right now. She says she learns from other working parents she respects to help her find her way. "I get my daughter involved with what I do," she said. "I show her the TV stuff, I bring her with me when I can." Tessa made a brief appearance on "The Today Show" with Torres earlier this week, and she and Torres' mom were with her on the New York leg of the book tour.

On technology: When everyone started getting cell phones awhile ago, Torres said she wasn't quick to jump in. She stuck with her pager. Now? She keeps her iPhone close, Twitters (@daratorresswims) but doesn't blog, and Skypes with her daughter Tessa. She started doing that from the Beijing Olympics. "When my daughter said to me on the day of my race, "Good luck today, Mommy," my heart…." Well, she didn't need to finish the sentence.

On what's next: Swimming. And appearances like the ones this week in New York, as opportunities arise. She is training to try to make the U.S. team for this summer's world championships in Rome. The book tour and sponsor appearances don't stop her from training, but she admits she is not getting the rest she typically needs to train well. Yes, even Dara Torres gets tired, which makes me ever more hopeful for the rest of us and our midlife dreams.

Does Dara Torres inspire you?