Invictus

Well Park City doesn't seem to be getting any snow. This past week it has been raining and really warm melting the cross country trails and even the ski jump. So instead of jumping, I have been doing jump imitations at the Center of Excellence. It definitely doesn't give you the same adrenaline rush but it is a great way for me to practice on my in run and jump move. We have also had to move our cross country skiing to Park City Ski Resort. It is great to be able to continue skiing but it is hard to have all our cross country sessions at the same place with not much diverse terrain.

 We are only a week out from our first COC race and I am getting very excited. With the down time that I have during the day I have been watching movies and reading books that will help inspire me. One of my favorite inspirational movies is Invictus. Within the movie, there is a poem that President Nelson Mandela uses to inspire the national rugby team to achieve greatness. The poem is titled Invictus written by William Henley. I wanted to post the poem because it inspires me as well. 

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

William Ernest Henley