Lisa Jacob, a former Irish International Hockey player with 139 caps, and Nikki Dorey a pilot with Aer Lingus and competitive triathlete, are the first all-female duo to cycle the gruelling ultra-distance of 2,150km non-stop Race Around Ireland. The pair will alternate cycling day and night, 3 hours on and 3 hours off, for 132 hours, or 5.5 days straight, from Sunday August 28th until Saturday September 3rd.
Both women are hugely passionate about mental health and are using this ambitious adventure to fundraise €100,000 for the Suicide or Survive mental health charity. As a couple they are keen to highlight the links between LGBT equality and mental health, especially among young people.
Lisa Jacob, who is originally from Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, studied Psychology at UCD. She went on to play hockey for Ireland for over 10 years, winning an impressive 139 caps for her country. Not content with success on one field, Lisa continued her sporting career with a call up to the Irish Rugby 7’s team. She now lives with her partner Nikki and is involved in coaching individuals and clubs around the country. Lisa says her decision to take part in the Race Around Ireland was a deeply personal one.
“I have always had 2016 as a milestone year in my mind. As an elite athlete I operated in Olympic cycles, and probably felt I had the energy to be competitive until 2016. In the last year my priorities changed, and qualifying for Rio was no longer what I really wanted. I wanted more time with the important people in my life, more focus on my career, and more control of my own schedule. Why the Race Around Ireland? It scared me, which meant I should probably do it. I guess mostly it’s a self-exploration. How will I react when things are hard? What will I learn about myself and others that will serve me well for the rest of my life? Where will this amazing journey take me? What difference can I make to people along the way?”
Her partner Nikki originally hails from the UK. She moved to Ireland several years ago and played soccer for Shamrock Rovers during 2011/2012 before taking up triathlon and representing Ireland. When not in training on her bike these days she works as a pilot with Aer Lingus.
“I have wanted to complete a challenge in conjunction with fundraising for charity for a long time, but was adamant that I would choose a challenge that was slightly outside of the ordinary and was on that fine line between not completely unachievable, but where completion was by no means a given. I have no idea whether I will complete this or how I will respond and that scares me a little. All I do know is that it will hurt physically and it will test my mental strength massively. I fully expect to find myself in the depths of pain and despair, but I also fully expect to have some of the most amazing experiences doing this too. In a strange way, I’m looking forward to both, although I might regret saying that!” she says.
“As a pilot I am always prepared and that’s how I intend to go into this race. Unfortunately I am very aware that aspects of the race will bring about situations that I can’t prepare for or control, and it will be a significant challenge to see how my mind will be able to cope with this. The positive mental health strategies that our chosen charity, Suicide or Survive, teach will most definitely be put to good use” according to Nikki.
Speaking about the race Caroline McGuigan, founder and CEO of Suicide or Survive, is full of praise for what they are doing.
“What Nikki and Lisa are doing is truly inspirational. They have dedicated months of their lives to training, night and day, rain or shine. What they are now embarking on is a true testimony to their incredible generosity and determination to make Ireland a better place. They have inspired us enormously with their courage and I know they will inspire countless others.”
People can find out more and donate online at cyclearoundireland.ie
Follow the girls on Twitter and Facebook and find out more about Suicide or Survive here.
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