Hell Week..

Sorry I've been off and on these last few weeks. It's the end of the fall semester in my Senior year at The University of New Hampshire. As you can imagine, I've been really busy wrapping up the semester with no room for errors. While I'm struggling with my own bout of senioritis, I'm doing my best to bring it all together. This semester I was retaking Accounting in an attempt to bring my grade up... after it was clear it wasn't going to happen I stopped going to the class about a month ago now. That left me time to pay very close attention to three other classes this semester. Resort and Spa Management, Wilderness in American Society and Leadership Practicum. All 3 of these classes tied together well for me as Wilderness in America took a close look at how wilderness helped shape who we are as a people which included the various movements towards cherishing wilderness to recreating in it and current climate issues. Resort and Spa management is just that but a good deal of time was spent on Ski and Mountain Resorts. Finally, In leadership practicum I spent a fair chunk of my semester traveling all over the Northeast, Job Shadowing at such resorts as The Baslams and Mount Washington in Northern New Hampshire; and Mohonk Mountain House in the Catskills of New York. Through my practicum research I studied the varying ideas of resort recreation in the mountain settings and how we as Americans have started to flock to more "extreme" resort activities such as Zip lining, canopy tours, etc. It's been a great semester but as we get to the last week of it here, I've got plenty of writing to do in the form of reports which wrap it all up.

I also had a job interview the other day which I am BEYOND excited about. It's with a guide service in the Rocky Mountains. Yup, my dream job. After graduating in May my hope is to be living in the Front Range guiding a variety of activities in the Rocky Mountains. Hiking, back packing, biking, rock climbing, fly fishing and team building. The mountains will be my office.. and life will have once again come full circle. I can't wait for the 2nd interview with the hopes of continued success. The owner of the company has thoughts of me doing multi-peak adventures in the Rockies with guests which include 30 mile days on ridge lines... can you say heaven?!

My weight has not fluctuated much over the last week. I got out for 3 runs last week and have yet to get out since. After last Friday's 6 mile run around town, I felt a sharp pain in my right shin. It hurts to the touch and sometimes... it doesn't even need a touch. So I've opted to ice it, rest and continue with some shin exercises that I know to help strengthen the muscles in the area. This is the down side of the month of rest. Everything that secretly hurt... is now letting me know that it hurts. Good news is.. There's tomorrow and the next day to get back at it. I just need to remember to take it slow and slowly get back into the groove. I'm ready... with Hardrock and Leadville on my mind. I also bought a new pair of boots for winter hiking that finally came in. Man are they light and I'm excited to give the 48 in One Winter a go.. finally.

Congrats to everyone who got into Western States. As much as I complain about the cost of the race, etc etc.. I understand the thrill of running it and wanting to get in. So.. good luck to all of you who got chosen, Especially our good friend Nate Sanel. I can't wait to help Nate get prepared for America's Oldest 100 with whatever knowledge I have.

Here is what I've got coming up on the blog!
Sherpa's Christmas List
2010 Year in Pictures (2 Part Series)
2010 Official Adventure Recap
Winter Preview
Other Misc. Extras!