Patience. Presence. Power. Party

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to prepare for one of Australia’s premier ultramarathons, this is a glimpse behind the scenes. The training, the crew, and the
mindset it takes to chase something extraordinary. Because big goals don’t just happen.
You earn them. One honest day of work at a time.

Patience

Coast to Kosci is a 240km run from Eden on Yuin Country on the south coast of NSW, to the highest point in Australia, Mount Kosciuszko on Ngarigo Country. For me, it’s never really been about the distance. It’s about the people, the process, and the promise I made to myself: to do the work, day after day, no matter what. This race isn’t something you can simply sign up for. Coast to Kosci is invite only.The race directors handpick runners they believe have the grit and experience to finish. To apply, you need to have completed a 100km and a 100 miler within the last twelve months. After submitting your application, there’s a long wait and in that time, you have to start training without knowing if your name will be on the start list. Eagerly awaiting the call is the first test of Coast to Kosci. Patience. For weeks, every time my phone buzzed after dark, I wondered if it was the call. One night, just after 8pm (well past my usual bedtime!) Race Director Greg left me a voicemail. I spotted it in the early hours when I woke up, heart racing,
full of butterflies. I didn’t call back until 8am. When he confirmed I was in, it was surreal. The wait was over. The real work began. You train before you’re chosen. You commit before it’s confirmed. And that, in many ways, is where the real journey begins.

Presence

The last sixteen weeks have been the most focused and highest-volume block of training I’ve ever done. My weeks have revolved around low-intensity road and open fire trail running, building aerobic strength and durability with hills and speed sessions to keep things sharp. Along the way, I’ve hit personal bests over shorter distances, small signs that the process is working even under heavy fatigue. Since February, I’ve been consistent with strength training, too (shout out to Char’s amazing resources!). It’s not the glamorous part of the plan, but it’s changed everything with more stability, fewer niggles, and a body that finally feels capable of backing up week after week. I love that I can build strength from home. It’s not all sunrise runs and mountain views. Most mornings start before the sun’s up, driving around Lake Macquarie or into the mountains to meet friends. I fill bottles, pour powders, ration snacks, share my location on Garmin and Find My iPhone, upload to TrainingPeaks, and tick the little box that turns green!
Small moments of progress that keep me accountable. There’s a shoe and food rotation
because the more you move, the more fuel you need. This has been a big lesson for me. Eat more, perform better. Long runs become fuelling experiments: testing what works, what doesn’t, and learning to eat when you’d rather not. It’s a different kind of discipline, one that has nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with preparation. And then there’s the physical side the chafe, the blisters, the bone-deep exhaustion. The shoes that never quite dry. The back seat is full of towels and spare t-shirts and random socks. The smell of effort that no detergent can remove. These are the parts no one glamorises. But they teach you presence, how to be in the moment, to show up fully for each run, and to keep moving forward when things aren’t perfect.

Power

As the months rolled on, preparation for Coast to Kosci became almost its own full-time job. I developed a handbook, a living document for my crew and pacers. Inside it sits everything from pacing estimates and nutrition plans to spare gear lists and fuel rotations. It’s colour-coded, (warm weather clothes in red and cold weather clothes in blue) and probably overthough but it brings me peace of mind knowing I’ve done everything I can to prepare them (and myself) for what’s ahead. There are also three official race webinars: one on race rules, one focused on runner considerations, and another dedicated entirely to the crew. I’ve attended them all notebook in hand, scribbling every tip and caution shared by the veterans. Each session is a reminder that this race is as much about logistics and teamwork as it is about running. Some nights I lie awake thinking about the details deciding whether to pack blister needles with my shoes or in the medical kit. How many gels for forty hours? Is twenty-four cans of Coke enough? Will my crew get enough rest? What if the car battery goes flat? I’ve watched every Coast to Kosci video I can find, taking notes from runners and crews who’ve gone before. Twelve months ago, one of my running mates came back from pacing another runner at Coast to Kosci and told me, “This race is for you.” Until then, I’d always had it on my bucket list but never believed I could get there. That comment planted the seed, and since then, I’ve drawn advice and tips from generous local runners (and mentors!) and families who’ve finished this race. They’ve shared their stories and lessons freely, helping me understand not just how to prepare, but what to expect when things inevitably go sideways. This race is different from any other ultra. You’re completely reliant on your crew. And I’ll be honest: that’s not easy for me. In most ultras, you’re out there on your own for hours, problem-solving, troubleshooting, and making things work. This is something I enjoy and gives me a huge sense of achievement and satisfaction. At Coast to Kosci, I’ll have access to my crew roughly every 5km. On paper, that sounds brilliant.

Constant support, food, and encouragement.  But in reality, it brings its own challenges. It means I’ll have an “out” every time I see them, a chance to stop, to rest, to question whether I want to keep going. It means they need to be fed and rested too, with limited shops or facilities along the route. I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by great friends and family. We’ve got our ute, driven by my partner; two mates pacing me, and my mum and two close friends running crew operations managing food, gear, and morale. They’ll be my lifeline out there, and I don’t take that lightly. Towamba Public School runs a fundraiser at the first checkpoint. I can already picture the kids cheering and the smell of the barbecue in the early hours. Little details like that remind me what makes this race special. This is where power lives. Not just in the legs, but in the preparation, the planning, and the trust you build with the people who show up beside you.

Party

When the start list came out and I saw my name, one of only twenty women, I felt everything at once: pride, disbelief, gratitude. At its core, this journey has been about integrity. Keeping promises to myself and following through, even when it’s hard. The running is just the vehicle for that. When I stand on the beach at Eden, I’ll know the real work is already done. The race itself will be a celebration of the hours, the people, and the process that got me there. Because in the end, Coast to Kosci isn’t really about running.

Do the training. The time will pass anyway.

- Coach Kirrilly