Fail to prepare. Prepare to fail.

ROY Keane’s infamous quote above from Saipan still resonates in Ireland as we approach the 10 year anniversary of the most infamous sporting exit in the history of this country.

It is a phrase that has been going through my head quite a bit for the past few weeks as my racing season begins in haste tomorrow.  At 11.30am I will attempt to run 5km in under 24 minutes at the John Davis Memorial race in Malahide Castle.

All quite achievable I hear you say.  And indeed in theory you would be correct.  The only problem is that my first run of the year was only last Sunday.  And only a trot for 2.5kms at that.  It was followed up by a 5km jog on Tuesday.

So quite obviously, this has not the most ideal preparations for either race.  But last Sunday’s run broke a spell.  For the past six weeks, I have been meaning to go for that first run.  Having spent a lot of last year with niggly ankle and hip injuries, I was apprehensive about starting the run.

I went to physio to try to loosen out my leg and did the exercises to try to strengthen my leg. So I was trying to prepare as best as possible. And yet, I couldn’t force myself out to run.  When I did finally get a few runs under my belt, the ankle ached and my hip hurt.  So this weekend will be approached with some trepidation and no small dollop of hope that the legs hold up.

I have been aiming to prepare well.  Preparation for my triathlon has not been a total failure, however the preparation for this weekend’s race would likely leave a lot to be desired. 

I can’t imagine I’d get Roy Keane’s seal of approval, but then again, that will depend on how this weekend’s race.  Only time will tell.