Hilo to Volcano 50k Pictures...Race Report to follow!

Do you remember this movie?  This really happened on Saturday (Jo vs. the Volcano) - and in this case, the volcano won.

Ladies & Gents...I have good news and bad news.  The good news-I am officially an ultra-marathoner!    The bad news? I appear to have sprouted a sixth toe.  Well, technically it's a giant blister on the side of my big toe, but it's so huge and ugly that it could pass for a sixth toe. So if you've got a foot fetish and also happen to be a fan of the idea that "more/bigger is better," then eat your heart out baby...because Aunty Jo has got a little sumthin' sumthin' for you to look at.

Here are a few pics of the day:

My friend Karen and I at the starting line.  We are both aware that she looks like a coal miner, and that I look a traffic safety officer.  Kind of like the lesbian version of the Village People...

Karen and I methodically picking off the boys, one by one... (just kidding, the relay teams started after us.)  Please note the steep hill that we are running up.

A rare photo where due to combined optical illusion, trick photography and smoke and mirrors, my legs do not look stocky and man-like!  Also, please note the steep hill that I am running up.

This smile, like most others, was purely for the camera.  I grimaced the second the flash went off and resumed looking very depressed immediately thereafter.  Oh, and did you happen to notice the steep hill that I am running up?

Crossing the finish line with my running partner (who had been both woken up and then thrown up in the minutes before this photo was shot, hence, the less than enthusiastic look on his face).  

This race, as always, is dedicated to my race day support crew member, in-house RN, loving spouse and greatest cheerleader ever (you wouldn't believe his high kicks).  (If you would like to touch my extra toe, I will let you.)

My time was 6:37, and I finished #19 out of 42.  Surprisingly, I felt WAY better after this race than I did after the marathon in March, so I learned that even a small increase in training clearly can net big results.  Make no mistake, I am still slower than molasses, but crossing that finish line fulfilled a dream I've had since '07. 


Huge aloha & mahalos to the big man upstairs, our friends for their well wishes & notes of congratulations, my awesome family for both cheering me on & taking care of Ryan, my friend Karen for running with me both before and during the race...but most of all...to Richado-san.  


I couldn't have done it without you.  Your love and support make anything good that I do possible.