Back on the Course

Lake Padden Park, Bellingham, WA

Fall and cross country have been synonymous for our family since 2008 when the twins started high school and began their xc career. This fall has been a little different as we no longer have a kid in high school, but one of the twins is still running in college. Kyle is on track to graduate in the spring so this is the last cross season and I've been feeling a little nostalgic, and trying to get to as many of his meets as possible. We're lucky that most have been here in Washington state, and one meet included both Kyle's college team, and high school team.

Last Friday Kirsten and I traveled to Bellingham, picking up Kyle on our way over. The team was going to leave very very early on Saturday morning, and by going over the day before he was able to sleep a little longer. The weather report called for wind and rain and boy did we see both. Luckily during the race the runners had to deal only with the wind, but it was strong with stronger gusts. The girls ran an 8k and the boys 10 k around the little lake. Unfortunately, this was not Kyle's best race, but I was glad we could go over and spend time together.

We were also able to go to Seattle in September for the Sundodger meet, where Kamiakin High School boys also ran. UW sponsors that race with four college races and four high school races, so it's quite a long day. But the weather was great and Kyle had a good run that day. In fact he placed high enough on the team to ensure a place for the Stanford Invite, which was his goal for the season.

Central Washington University team at Sundodger (Kyle in front bent forward)

October 3 found us driving to Yakima and the big high school race called SunFair. There were no Paulsons running, but we still enjoy watching the Kamiakin teams and Gary has taken photos there for so long, it's kinda hard to just stop all at once. It's famous in these parts for the terraced hill they run once and the long incline that they run twice.

Sunfair Terrace (Varsity Girls Flight 7)

 We started out the season by attending the Apple Ridge Run that CWU sponsored. This was a new course for Gary and me to see as Kamiakin never ran a race there, but other local high schools do. It's located in the highlands above Yakima, where you'll drive through miles and miles of orchards. One farmer has made a cross country trail through his orchard and opened the trail for runners.

Me, Kyle, and Gary at the Apple Ridge Run

I don't think our schedule will allow us to see any more of Kyle's races, but I think you will probably see us at a meet now and then to support our friends' kids and just for the fun of it!