Quote Originally Posted by spazzdog
God knows if, at 50 yrs of age, I suddenly popped up with enough talent (due to hard work) to be competitive on the amateur road racing circuit, questions would be asked, accusations made. It's sad really.
Any time something goes outside of what most consider "the norm" eyebrows shoot up, questions start being asked and acusations levelled. Look at what's happened in road cycling with all of the acusations against Lance and others. "How can a man who once had cancer ..." :|

The question of how fair a competition is always comes up. I too agree that women, if they put their mind to it, can do anything a guy can, but it comes to a question of will power. Unfortunately, society doesn't help us in that regard.

This reminds me of a conversation I had with my step-daughter Alex a few years ago. She was over visiting and telling me that she doesn't think she wants to go into science or math. Understand that Alex is _very_ smart, but after she asked her teacher about it, he told her that she shouldn't worry about it since girls aren't very good at science and math.

Needless to say, I was livid. If I was anywhere near where her school I would have reamed him. To tell someone something like this is just wrong.

I told Alex that she could do anything that she had the willpower to accomplish. That things could be difficult, but achieving the goal is that much sweeter because of the struggle.

Unfortunately, the world isn't fair. The best thing we can do is try to make the most of what we're given. Think of those who've gotten cancer and beat it or some other disease such as MS or diabetes and fight and struggle to make the most of their lives instead of laying down and saying "it's not worth it."

We have within ourselves to be the best we can be, if we're willing.

Mel