UPDATE THURSDAY 11:30 CODY
Being an injured ski racer this time of year makes you loose your mind
a little. Normally I would be in Sweden preparing for my first race of
the season which is this Sunday in Levi, Finland. I think this time of
year is especially hard with all the excitement for the new season. I
haven't been on snow for 7 months and thats already been far too long.
I know I have been talking about patience recently and I think I have
been doing a pretty good job of keeping my head on strait considering
everything, like I said before I'm still learning patience.
Step one get stronger. Step three win ski races. Life is pretty simple right? Well, for me to get myself back to training with the US ski team is going to be the biggest challenge of my life. I have had large odds set against me in my career before as a ski racer and rose above them. I was named to the team when I was 23 and was told by the head coach at the time that he had no faith in me. Nice, huh? It didn't bother me much, I was there because I had plenty of faith in myself and I loved ski racing. I had plenty of time to prove this coach wrong. After spending a year with the ski team I scored points in world cups in Wengen and Zagreb having the best season of my life. I think my head coach had a little more faith in me, but I still didn't care... The point I think Im trying to make is that while I have been struggling in my own way in the last couple of months to find inspiration in anyway I can I have found two things. You can get inspiration from all kinds of things people, stories, experiences and they can play a huge role in helping inspire you. However, when you are really in a tough spot and youre thinking how the hell am I getting out of this I think that the true inspiration comes from yourself. If you have a passion for something give yourself up to it completely and good things will happen.
Also, who cares what people think? I never really have. There were plenty of people who told me to stop skiing years before I made the ski team. I knew what I wanted and I did what I had to do to make it happen. Im sure there are plenty of people out there who dont think I should continue with my skiing career. I know what I want and I think thats pretty rare. Im certainty going to go after it.
Are you guys wondering about step two??
Keep reading to find out....
Cody
Step one get stronger. Step three win ski races. Life is pretty simple right? Well, for me to get myself back to training with the US ski team is going to be the biggest challenge of my life. I have had large odds set against me in my career before as a ski racer and rose above them. I was named to the team when I was 23 and was told by the head coach at the time that he had no faith in me. Nice, huh? It didn't bother me much, I was there because I had plenty of faith in myself and I loved ski racing. I had plenty of time to prove this coach wrong. After spending a year with the ski team I scored points in world cups in Wengen and Zagreb having the best season of my life. I think my head coach had a little more faith in me, but I still didn't care... The point I think Im trying to make is that while I have been struggling in my own way in the last couple of months to find inspiration in anyway I can I have found two things. You can get inspiration from all kinds of things people, stories, experiences and they can play a huge role in helping inspire you. However, when you are really in a tough spot and youre thinking how the hell am I getting out of this I think that the true inspiration comes from yourself. If you have a passion for something give yourself up to it completely and good things will happen.
Also, who cares what people think? I never really have. There were plenty of people who told me to stop skiing years before I made the ski team. I knew what I wanted and I did what I had to do to make it happen. Im sure there are plenty of people out there who dont think I should continue with my skiing career. I know what I want and I think thats pretty rare. Im certainty going to go after it.
Are you guys wondering about step two??
Keep reading to find out....
Cody
go cody.............it is who you are, a ski racer.i have much faith in you and i know it will take time but you will be standing on the podium some day and you will then see how all this " patience" has payed off.work hard and stay on track
ed
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Cody,
Keep that wonderful attitude going as well as your sense of humor! You stay strong ... I will stay tuned to hear what step 2 is... GO CODY GO
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Cody,
You are the man!! Think Cody, Think Strong, Live Strong, Come Back Strong, Stay Strong. Just like Lance Armstrong, you have the right attitude,just listen to your heart, you know what you have to do, and you know it will be a battle, but you also know you can do it. Like you, I have been around ski racing since before I could walk and I've never seen anyone with more natural talent and determination that you, I know you will make it happen.
The Ture Family
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way to go Cody!! your determination is admired by all of your blog followers. I check everyday to see your new news. Keep up the faith. It seems like lots of people are waiting to hear from Draven. It was nice to hear from your Mom too!
Kathy in VT.
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Go Cody Go!! I admire you so much and following your journey has inspired me and given me strength every day!! You have come so far and I know you have a big job in front of you but from what I can tell that doesn't deter you or scare you. I have found in the past and have offered this to my best friend who has been in a challenge for the past 8 years. Set your sights on your goal and think of what you need to do, all those things you need to accomplish as an elephant. You can't eat an elephant all at once but if you take one bite at a time viewing each challenge as a bite, before you know it you have eaten through that elephant and you have reached your goal. I know you can do it and I will continue to have faith in your determination and strength!!! Go Cody Go!! Your Friend Dave
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Hey, Cody. I just wanted you to know that your post today was really inspiring. I broke my leg in 3 places and my ankle in 2 last February and I'm still going to physical therapy. I used to run marathons and now running is more like a slow "gimp". I am going to try skiing at Killington this Christmas but it won't be like last year for me either. I have complete faith that we will both get back to doing what we love - it will just take a little bit of time and a lot of determination. Good luck and Go Cody Go! All the best, Stacy
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Cody: I have never met you but have gone through this injury from the beginning days and have marvelled at your recovery. You're a brilliant young man who is going through uncertain times. The lessons you have learned will be with you for the rest of your life and while competitive skiing may be some time in the future your courage and philosophy are with you now and forever. Be well my dear soulmate and be glad you made it throug the hardest part. Many don't. You are an inspiration and I am glad I have taken this journey with you - I went through a similar situation with a different outcome. Love life - it will disappear before you know it!
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Cody do what your heart tells you! thats What I am leaning right now. And you really can find inspiration in everything if you look. (warning this may be a long post). But I am having what I call a quarter life crisis aka re-evaluating my life plan. Right now I am in school at westmini and studying history so basically no job when i do eventually graduate which as taken me far longer then it should. I am realizing at the same time i have so many other dreams I want to complete before I settle. I have learned when an opportunity comes around a second time and you still have the heart TAKE IT!. when i was in high school my mom told me to try out for the bobsled team. At the time i was playing softball and i SUCKED I have hardly any real sports experiance and was scared so i told her "heck no i am not wearing all that spandex". Well almost 8 years later and I am still thinking about it at 23. It was only this summer that I realized that you don't have to be trained from the time your 2 years old to be an athlete. I had a family that had always put down my dreams under the excuse it was bad for your body (like dance) well 12 years of softball and 7 car accidents *Yeah 7! don't worry only 1 was me driving the car* I have a broken vertebra and massive shoulder issues. BUT I have concluded I am going to go for the sledding dream anyway at 23 years old. Because if you don't try you wont ever know and plus if it makes YOU happy it is far worth it screw what everyone else thinks. Even my husband laughed at me and swore I was joking when I told him. Now I have him training me to get back in shape. Cody I know you can do it you have come so far and it really has been inspiring. If you can get through all this then there is no excuse why I cant get over my injuries as well. and honestly so what you may never win a gold medal at the olympics but you certainly wont win it if you don't try. So go out there and kick some ass so you can say you did it and you went for it. That is far more brave then giving up on a dream. "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."
- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 "
Go Cody!
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Hey Cody awesome blog! I admit that I have been wondering what path you were going to choose after your head got cracked but I am stoked to see that you are on your way back to the team. You say that inspiration is found in many places and I can tell you that I have found some in reading this post. We are going to represent while you are away! Work hard and be well brother.
Marco
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Right On Cody!
Just keep it going like you have done all your life! Patience and perseverance will win this race...no pun intended!
Can't wait to find out part 2...
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Never listen to people who tell you to quit something you LOVE, especially a ski coach who has zero business saying he has no faith in you. In my opinion, that coach is an ass. A huge ass, with zero coaching talent.
I understand the politics of U.S. Ski Team coaches, and I am sorry that you ever had to listen to such negativity.
NEVER listen to people such as R.L, and other bad coaches. ;-]
You and your siblings all have an incredible talent. So CONTINUE pursuing skiing. PLEASE. And, never, ever stop,
no matter who, what, where, when and why someone says such crap.
Surround yourself with positive people, and keep up your amazing recovery. Not only have you inspired me, you have inspired so many people with your talents and, most recently, you have inspired us with your incredible recovery.
Best - Colby Scudder
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Cody Man,
Good hearing from you again. 66 degrees today in Lower Michigan, golf courses are still open. And the deer are not moving.
This winter might be tuff for ya at the start, but please stay true to your goals. Keep working hard, listen to your trainers and go for it. Ski Race, Ski Race, and Ski Race. You have the passion for it, so as they say in football, " Leave it all out on the snow". Take it to the next level. We believe in "you".
You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart, there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, and courage, so long are you young.
General Douglas Macarthur (1880-1964)
" Never Give Up, Never Give In"
Coach Woody Brackney
Mt. Holly Snowsports School/Mi.
Fenton HS Ski Team
Thunderbolt Training Centers/USSA
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Cody, It was a bummer watching the race today and not seeing you there.-Hey if you decide that coming back east is a good idea and you can get the training you need I'd love to teach you some Anusara Yoga here in K-town. It is powerful and I'm good. Keep you inner body bright and everything will be allright. Love ya
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Hey Cody,
This must be a hardtime for you right now. But you seem to have the right idea regarding patience. Slow and steady said the tortoise to the hare.
There is no doubt you will be doing what makes you happpiest again. ANd yes you have a long road ahead of you. But that is called a goal. Set small goals for yourself and as they become easier kick it up a notch. Stay focused make sure you surround yourself with your close friends for support even though they are away stay in touch. ANd last but not least you can always ski with me how special is that
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Glad you never listened to the US Team coach, certainly makes you wonder what type of people the US Team wants as coaches....enough.....knowing yourself and having that drive you possess will move you a long way in life. Keep it up. Strategies can change, but never lose sight of your goals.
take care, keep up the good fight
r
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"A warrior does not give up what he loves; he finds the love in what he does"
- Dan Millman "the Peaceful Warrior" (movie)-
I recommend this movie and the book too. You are a warrior and I wish you the best.
Concerning the National coaches, most of them are the same; running for "gold". I guess it's their job and it's the same in any sports.
You have already got the "gold" with what you have achieved...
Keep flying and I am waiting for the Step 2...
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You must miss skiing so much! Don't give up on your dream. You will get better. I hope you're feeling better today. Medical Insurance
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