I have often watched the ITU elite races and envied the winners when they get to the tape and hold it above their heads. That has to be the coolest way to win a race. Jonny Brownlee is the best at it when he punches his way through. As an age grouper (and a female) I never thought that I would ever be able to do that - until now! Last weekend I won the Battle of the Sexes race in Lisbon. Not my age group, not the female prize, but the whole bloody race!!Once again Mark and I were off on our travels - (living the dream) - with our friends Sam and Chris. This time was different as it wasn't a championship race so no pressure to win anything and we were all racing this time - a real boys v girls race. This race was just for fun - I was going to enjoy it.
The Battle of the Sexes in Lisbon, Portugal really appealed to Sam and I as the women and the men all compete together for one overall prize - the catch however is that the women go off 14 minutes in front and then its the first across the line wins. 'Great', we thought, 'that sounds very fair' - 'Shit', Mark and Chris thought, 'we could do with the 14 minute head start never mind the girls!'
Lisbon was hot and sunny when we got there and our hotel was just 1.5 miles from the airport - how then did it cost 34 euros in a taxi!! Even worse we had to book two to get the bike boxes in - 70 euros! Not a great start but we didn't have a choice. The funny thing is that everything else in Portugal is dirt cheap....?
The next morning we went down to the race venue across the street to register and get our bearings. What a fantastic venue - it is based in a huge expo area with exhibition halls and cafes. The swim is in a small harbour area, a bit like the London Docklands - and the water was warm! The run route went along the waterfront and the cycle route was on closed roads with perfect tarmac. Could it get any better? Apparently it could - Chris had spotted a Sealife Centre!
The race organisation was very slick and that evening we went to the race briefing and then the pasta party - held in our hotel and completely free. The event is the biggest in Portugal as it also has a half ironman elite race. There were triathletes from loads of different countries all speaking different languages...and all in their calf guards. We were starting to feel quite excited.
On the day of the race Sam was unusually calm and relaxed and I was my usual wound-up self. Things were not helped when I got stuck in the lift and ended up visiting all 12 floors with my bike at 6 in the morning. Sam nearly wet herself laughing. It did calm me down though and we were soon in the huge transition area getting ready.
Then it was time to start - as we swam off I was aware of a really fast swimmer out in front - I hoped it was Sam as she is flying in the pool at the moment. I had a good swim but I was on my own the whole time. I just enjoyed being able to get in a rythmn and I was soon at the last bouy. Then I saw Sam, she was getting out already! Wow she had really had a good one. About 2 minutes later I was running up the slope too and the crowd were amazing - cheering and shouting. I thought I was about 5/6th?
I got off to a good start on the bike and very quickly overtook 4 women so I hoped that it was just Sam in front. That meant we were leading the race and hopefully we could hang on for a bit before the men came past. The bike course was fast but really windy so I just got my head down. It was really spooky at first as I was riding on a huge motorway with no-one else around and no cars - like in a film when a nuclear bomb has gone off. It was a bit lonely really. Thankfully at the far turn I saw Sam flying the other way with the lead motorbike. She gave me a big shout, I couldn't even breathe. Then it was a stupidly fast ride back with a screaming tail wind.
The second lap was better as I was now mixed in with the half ironman distance race so I could try and catch people. I started to look behind me but I couldn't tell who was catching me. Two or three times a man came past and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw their long distance numbers.
I flew back into T2 and started the run - once again I managed to fluff up transition by going the wrong way but I was soon out on the course - oooh that was hot! I could just see Sam in front and I could see she was struggling - I knew she would hate the run as she has been so poorly recently she has done no run training at all for about 3 weeks. The run route was a number of short out and back legs and I spent the whole race looking for the first man who was catching me - but I didn't see anyone. I passed Sam and gave her a shout. She's so lovely, even though I was going to beat her she still encouraged me. I just had enough breath to tell her not to let any men get past.
At the end of lap 1 I finally saw the first man. Oh that scared me and I had a surge of adrenalin. I couldn't tell how fast he was going or how much lead I had so I just had to run as hard as I could. Unfortunately I am more used to sprint distance races so I was seriously running out of energy. I didn't relax until I got to the final corner and then I could see the finish line. OMG I was going to win! I ran down the finish shute and then I saw it - there was a finishers tape! A proper, professional finishers tape - Oh God Jacqui, I thought, don't mess this up. I put the tape over my head and went over the line with a big smile. I felt like an elite - people were taking my photo and I was sat in a chair and interviewed by the commentator over the microphone. It was lovely.
Then it was all about whether Sam had hung on for second - that was a bit nerve racking and then I saw her - she was second overall. We had both beaten the men! About a minute later Dave Gorley, the first man came over the line. What a nice man he is - from Leicester - so the Brits had cleaned up
.
Once again we were well looked after with loads of post-race food and drink and 'the best post race massage in the world'! I had a look but there were 4 people on each athlete - no way was I letting 4 people anywhere near my legs for about a fortnight! Lots of people came up to me to say well done - the Portugese are so friendly - and I was made to feel really special.
Then Mark found the photo's - and yes I had messed up the finish. I hadn't quite managed to lift the tape up enough so I look like I have no head - what a muppet! An obvious lack of practice.
So the 'fun' race in Lisbon turned out to be quite an experience. Once again we had a fabulous, hilarious weekend away with our lovely friends. Another great result for Sam and I and the biggest prize I have ever won in my life - the best race ever!
