Bob Firman Invitational

It's hard to believe the cross country season is in full swing and almost half over.  One of the races Raegan looks forward to every year is the Bob Firman Invitational.  This was a large meet with 94 teams (940 Girls, 1344 Boys) participating from all over the Northwest (Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Utah....).  The Bob Firman is held at Eagle Island State Park in Boise, Idaho.

Raegan really likes the Eagle Island Course and the race has the added bonus of being an overnight trip for the kids.  The course is two loops around the lake on mostly flat terrain.  The running surface is primarily a dirt trail with areas of sand and grass.  There is one small hill that is known as "spectator hill" which creates some excitement.

Eagle Island Cross Country Course

  The course is considered to be one of the faster courses in the state.  Raegan had a goal to finish under 21:00.  She had a great race and finished 48th (249) in the Varsity Division I (Large Schools) with a personal best time of 21:08.

Coach Guldin give Raegan his customary pre-race handshake

Running the "Fox Trail" a little over 800m into the race

About 1500m into the race just before hitting "the beach".

Looking forward to running on the beach.

Late summer fires in Idaho, Washington and Oregon are making for a very hazy day.

The start of about 200m of sand..... on "the beach"

Raegan running "the beach".

Everyone usually runs close to the shore where the sand contains the most moisture. 

Raegan starts up "spectator hill"

The first of two climbs on this hill.

Second loop on "fox trail"

Raegan has just finished her second leg on "the beach" about 1000m from home.

Just coming down the backside of "spectator hill"

800m to go.

Rounding the corner to get to "Poplar Lane"

Hanging tough!

Running "Poplar Lane" with about 400m to go.

PR at the Eagle Island Course.  Note the "train wreck" in the shoot.  These girls give their all!

Marilyn and Madison give Raegan a post race hug.....

Some of Raegan's teammates all smiles after the race........

Summer Fires

We have had incredible weather this past few months.  Moderate temperatures, light to no wind, and "cloudless" sky's.  Ideal weather for getting the telescope out and doing some nighttime observing! The catch?  Heavy haze due to the numerous fires ongoing in Idaho, Washington and Oregon.  This haze has been a staple in Eastern Idaho since early August.  On Friday, September 21st, the haze was particularly bad.  I was amazed at how much the sun was obscured even 30+ degrees above the horizon.  We were traveling to Boise to watch Raegan run at the Bob Firman Invitational when I stopped to take a few pictures of the setting sun.

Satellite image of the fires in Idaho taken in September 2012.  Pocatello would be near the bottom right of this image.  These fires contributed to the hazy conditions we had from late July through late September.

Taken just outside of Mountain Home, Idaho.  It was a specifically bad day for smoke in Idaho!

Note the sunspot visible through a 300mm lens.  No filters.

Cropped view of the image above.  This image looks very similar to the images I took with a solar filter through my telescope.  The sunspot 1575 is visible in the 10 o'clock position .

Terry Jones Invitational

Cross Country has become a fall tradition in our family.  Its hard to imagine that Raegan is now a senior and is starting her final season.  Four years ago I never imagined she would accomplish as much as she has. These kids run almost year around in preparation for Cross Country and Track.  Its nice to see all the hard work pay off.........

The first meet of the year was the Terry Jones Invitational held in Malad, Idaho. Seven schools from around SE Idaho were represented.  Mostly smaller schools from the likes of Westside, Bear Lake, Snake River, Malad, and Rigby were in attendance.  Idaho Falls which is Highland's district rival was also present.  Highland and Idaho Falls are in the largest classification Idaho (5A). These kids were ready to race after training for over two months in preparation for the 2012 Cross Country Season. We were also able to see where we stand with Idaho Falls.  It appears that Highland and I.F. will be neck and neck all season long. The girls and boys finished first at this meet.

Raegan ran a 21:27 which is a great time for the first race under hot late afternoon conditions.  The 5k (3.125 miles) course was 0.05 miles short which translates to an approximate time of 21:49 for a true 5k.  Raegan ended up medaling with a 9th place finish.

 A good start to  the season!

Boom! The Season Starts! Terry Jones Invitational

Terry Jones Invitational.  Raegan is the third from the left in white.

Coach Gulden giving encouragement at 1500m mark. Deseanna and Raegan

Raegan coming down the hill with about 800m to go.

600m to go.......

Alexis Wilkes, Prelsi Hutchison (1st) and Raegan (9th) all placed in the top 10