He started walking. Leeds helped him run.听
Carter Snelson played racquet sports his entire life, but during the pandemic, he was forced to find ways to occupy himself alone. He came across walking, which started from short strolls around Williams Village, in Boulder, to walking every one of the city鈥檚 labeled streets鈥攁 total of 970 miles.听
And he didn鈥檛 do it all in a week or a month鈥擟arter鈥檚 journey took him the better part of two and a half years.听
鈥淚t's the longest commitment I've ever had, but it was incredible to be able to work hard for something and actually finish it,鈥� Carter said.
Originally from Franklin, WI, Carter was never a Boulder expert, but he was immediately drawn to the beauty of Boulder and the campus on a college tour. The idea of walking the city came from his brother, who had run more than 60% of their hometown and suggested he try something similar.听
Carter finished his walking journey just two weeks before his graduation and eventual return to Wisconsin. His most impressive walk was his last, where he traveled 56 miles and more than 100,000 steps in one day to finish the journey.
Even though I did all the walks by myself, there were so many people that helped me鈥擨 really didn't do it by myself.
Carter Snelson (Fin, RE鈥�23)鈥�
Carter鈥檚 motivation included friends, family members and his large collection of heavy metal music. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a metaphor,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e literally screaming at me to keep going.鈥�
Time management was key鈥攅specially going into his senior year. Building a strong foundation through Leeds classes and clubs taught Snelson about the work ethic of a long term project, and how to stay accountable. The people he鈥檚 met at Leeds were a supportive community that he was able to reach out to for support and extra motivation.
鈥淓ven though I did all the walks by myself, there were so many people that helped me鈥擨 really didn't do it by myself,鈥� Carter said.听
Through his 170 walks and being an active member in the Real Estate Club, Carter realized his love for the environment and sustainability, inspiring him to explore a career in sustainable commercial real estate. Meaning, not money, is what鈥檚 driving his job search.听
As for walking, Carter plans on taking a break and picking up an old familiar hobby鈥攔unning.
鈥淚鈥檝e had a lot of time to reflect on myself, and I鈥檓 incredibly proud I was able to finish this project鈥攅ven with time constraints,鈥� Carter said. 鈥淚 feel confident that I can tackle anything now.鈥�