WINNING THE 12HR LIKE IT WERE KATH AND KEL

Contributed by Kirsten Maplestone, AURA member & 1st Female at 2021 Coburg 12hr

Coburg 12hr, 17-18 April 2021, Harold Stevens Athletic Track Vic

This was my second time at the 12hour run, yet I clearly forgot how much the track packs a punch to the old body. I hadn’t been training but there was no way I was going to miss such a social event, catching up with friends and watching my idols hit the track. I couldn’t wait for the laneway banter to start flying and seeing heaps of people supporting the athletes was so uplifting. Including many I’d spoken to on Facebook but never actually met – what a thrill to finally meet them (195 times to be exact, every time I circled them)!

I got to the track behind schedule and literally threw my shoes on after only taping my small toes…..what a mistake, which would undo me for the whole race. Next it was setting up my small aid station, then hugs and chats with friends. After the briefing it was quickly off to Lane 3, my home for the next 12 hours. A surprise appearance by Jon Lim to send us off with a live cross to VUR was super exciting, although I’m sure the viewers quickly tired of the repetition.

Shortly into the race I felt the blisters start in my arches, I was in a rhythm and tried ignoring them but they kept screaming ‘hello’ and got rapidly bigger but I was caught in the hamster wheel. As time went on I could see the toll it was taking on people (myself included).

I could no longer run, the arch blisters were well out of control and unrepairable and my ITB decided to come for the ride too so I reverted to my fast pace walking which I learnt during the COVID bubble.

There were two hours left and I set my sights on 81km, so it was game on. I kicked my ‘Kath and Kel’ style walking back into motion – it was working, I was getting closer and then it was time to throw the sandbag down. Pain set in straight away. AURA member George Mihalakellis kindly came off the track during his race to help me get my shoes off and gave me a blanket, then it was time to collect the freaking awesome trophy.

Yes, I’m very bling orientated, but I have never in my life come first at anything. Sure it was a Steven Bradbury type of win (Connie Schroeder, 3rd Female pulled out early) but I still gave it my all and held on to finish while Lucy Stabb (2nd Female) stayed right on my heels.

I love entering the club rooms the most, it’s where all the history is displayed and the members are welcoming, and there are CHAIRS. It’s brilliant to see what everyone achieved yet no one can walk normally anymore.

Afterwards, I headed to my car to set up for the night, I watched the 24hr and 100km people tire into the zombie shift, into the cold, cold night. I tried to get some shut eye but the pain was too much. I was up again with the next light of day and cheered on athletes from the back of my car. A mix of exhausted and shattered 24hr people and the fresh 6 hour and marathoners adding new excitement to the mix.

I shuffled down to say my goodbyes but ended up getting chatty and then fell asleep on the track grass and Scott put a blanket over me. I woke for the final laps and cheered like crazy with tears welling up in my eyes seeing them all in so much pain but still pushing on.

I could feel their elation that it was nearly over. Hurray and well done to everyone, no matter what, distance, time and outcome, it was certainly the place to be in April. Oh and Heather (from the canteen) and I are having a pyjama party, she’ll be wearing her Paul Frank Monkey pants and my fluffy rainbows pants will be back. Until then, see you around and around and around. And as all the Coburg members say in their sweet convincing voices, “See you next year!”

Pictured: Kirsten Maplestone (1202) racing at the 2021 Coburg 12hr last weekend. Photograph – Bernie Goggin.