Jo Johnasen is fired up and ready to go for the Buffalo Ultra this Saturday! In the last 13 months Jo has gone from unknown, to winning the Tarawera Ultra, dropping out of the TNF100, then a less than idea run at the 2015 TuM. But she is back and on the up- a solid run at the Hillary shows she is training smart and ready to run hard. We can’t want to see her take on the Buffalo and caught up with her below.
Before we get to the Buffalo, how has your summer of running/racing gone?
Summer has been very average, very up & down. Started good with Kepler and Hutt River, then a poor performance at TUM and an ok result at The Hilliary.
Where does the Buffalo fit into your summer and with the other races you have (or have not) done?
Buffalo is the second race I’m doing as part of the Oceania Skyrunning series.
jo on her way to winning the 2014 Hillary Ultra.
My approach and training has done a 360 turn. My training has been chopped in half, so I’m doing way less then usual and I am not turning up to the start line knackered & over-trained. Less is best and listening to the right people.
What has you more nervous- the 4500+M of vert over 75km at Buffalo, or the Snakes?
Definitely the snakes- probably run holding a stick just in case one leaps at me or is curled up in the middle of the track.
What are you looking forward to most at the Buffalo Stampede?
I am looking forward to the most is experiencing Buffalo National Park and being in Australian nature. Also enjoying the trails with good friends again. I cant wait, its gonna be an epic weekend in a new place.
Your post (or pre for that matter) beer choice at the bright Brewery?
Blowhard Pale Ale sounds good.
Do you have any idea how big a “schooner” is?
No idea what a schooner actually is.
Post Buffalo Stampede what other races do you have on the calendar for the year? Do you plan on running any of the other Oceania Skyrunning Series races?
Mt Difficulty , Barneys Bluff or Hounslow classic, UD Sky Rock n Run. I plan to do as many sky races as the body can handle. Probably a few shorter races like Xterra series thrown in between.
