Gremlins in Schralptown

Finals are done, and I have to say I must have spent more time last week trying not to study or write papers than I did actually doing work.  Things I did to pass the time include:

• crocheting a hat
• going to a Hanukah party
• reading other people's blogs (see sidebar)
• doing laundry 
• cooking 
• going to the gym and doing a lot of cross training
• running an NMR - technically, this is work, it's like an MRI for a chemical compound

It got to be a bit ridiculous, and by Friday night I was more than ready to get home.  Since I've been back, I've been coaching with the race club I skied for when I was younger.  

The skiing has been epic; powder day after powder day has made running gates a challenge, but the snow's amazing so it's hard to really complain.  It's rewarding to see the kids improve over the course of days and amazing to see them grow up over the course of years.  This early in the season they're still getting their ski legs back and almost everyone's made huge strides this week.  Today we couldn't run gates because with the soft snow the athlete's safety becomes an issue. Instead, we ripped around the mountain with the gremlins, and to top everything off, we got first legal tracks on one of the best runs at Powderhorn.  

Besides that, I've been doing some hiking and running, and looking at my new hardtail that I haven't gotten a chance to ride yet.  The parts from the XC bike I broke are now on a new Rocky Mountain Hammer frame, but the same snow that's made for sweet week at Powderhorn has kept me from getting out on the bike.  Can't complain though, and it's good to be home

Procrastination

It's a beautiful thing... it's finals week, but also one of the few times this semester that I've been able to get away with putting work off for an hour or so. I'm looking forward to a winter break ski coaching at my home resort, getting outside as much as I can, and catching up with friends.
Mountain bike season came and went, with as much spirit as ever. All I can say is that it's amazing what you can find at Goodwill. I know what you're thinking - and yes, that's homemade. The new race rig, a bright orange Santa Cruz Blur XC, was broken in the hard way, lots of racing and not much time to just take it out for a ride. My beloved old xc bike is getting built up as a hardtail by the guys at Over the Edge, which is one more thing to look forward to when I get back home.
Nationals was down in Banner Elk, NC at Lees-McRae College once again this year. As promised, I stuck to the endurance event to avoid mishaps like last year's concussion in the dual slalom. We took 5th as a team for the second year in a row, and I had a great time slopping around courses in the muck.