Neither London nor Boston but internet solecisms.
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(#1 in an occasional series.)
While he's been back in the news recently following his health scare (which turned out to be a pulled muscle in his chest), ex-club captain Cox may be not be an immediately recognisable name to our newer members. His training has been rather erratic over the past months — once, twice, or three times a week, and always to excess followed by a period of forced recovery — and he hasn't been consistent in his appearances in the club either. When he does show his face, he never fails to rile Mick with interruptions to the announcements (always wittier and more pertinent than Flash, but that's not hard).
Some time ago, John entered a small local race in his old home town, Barry, against the advice of his wife, Eryl (a Welsh international under her previous surname, Davies). The damage he did to himself then was recorded in a popular series in Athletics Weekly under the headings Where Cox Went Wrong, Some More of Cox's Greatest Mistakes, and Who Is This Cox Person, Anyway?
But we are getting ahead of ourselves, a long, long time ago, a smoking, drinking, non-exercising, but still thin-as-a-rake Cox watched the London Marathon, and pronounced, as one does, that he "could do that." And so, to much amusement from his family and friends, he started jogging. And found that he was rather good at it. He joined Barry and Vale AC, where he met his long-time training partner Mick McGeoch. Natural talent was only part of the story behind John's sub 2:30 marathon appearances; Mick's disciplined and realistic approach honed John's ability to the point where John could consider being one place behind Sonia O'Sullivan in the Dublin Marathon a defeat.
Naturally, John graduated to us in time. His energy and application won him the club captaincy and his never being short of something to say was put to good use. He only turns 40 in 2003, so he's still a baby by the standards of Les Croupiers. Don't let the drop in standards fool you. John will, in the words of big Arnie, be back…
Contrary to popular belief, The Wingcommander is alive and well and frankly chomping at the bit to get out of the house.
As a precautionary measure his training shoes have been burned and all his running equipment has been loaned until deemed necessary to recover.
He is stil "Under the Doctor!"
Posted by Eryl Cox -AT-REMOVE_THIS- 7/2/2003 5:54 pm GMT
Why all this being nice to John Cox all of a sudden? It sounds like an obituary column - he's never been away!
And now here's the nice bit (written through clenched teeth!):
John we do need you. We need your humour. We need your ability. But most of all we need your patience.
Posted by mick -AT-REMOVE_THIS- 7/2/2003 9:39 am GMT
I must say that I was quite concerned to hear that John had a 'bit of a turn' recently, and relieved to see that it was nothing more than a pulled muscle. I first met John at the Gloucester half-marathon, my first 'half' for Les Croupiers way back in 1995. I will always remember him as being friendly, noisy and welcome company during the massively long prize giving ceremony which extended all the way down to 20th place. From recollection, John was 6th in 1.12 and I 17th in 1.15.
Though not subtle, full of dodgy jokes, and frankly demonic in a mini-bus (Castles anyone?) John is an asset to the club, and a bloody hard competitor to boot. Hmmm, perfect Karrimor material.....
Posted by Simon -AT-REMOVE_THIS- 6/2/2003 4:28 pm GMT
Last updated 26 December 2005
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Help, all this free time has turned John Cox into a computer anorak. No doubt his next sport will be SURFING.........
Posted by Eryl Cox -AT-REMOVE_THIS- 7/2/2003 5:56 pm GMT