Page 1 of 1

Josh Cox update

Posted: March 30th, 2007, 9:34 pm
by 01LUGrad
I was wondering what happened to '98 LU grad Josh Cox...In case you are wondering, he was the by far the most famous member of the LU track and field team until one Josh McDougal came along. He has a marathon PR of 2:13 and, several years ago, was mentioned among the best runners in the United States. He has been out of the spotlight for a couple of years since his appearance on "The Bachelor."

Fortunately, he is making a resurgance and hopes to make a run at Beijing. He has an uphill climb ahead of him, but if you are familiar with his story you know that God has certainly had His hand on him in the past. Why not one more time?

Here's his myspace page. Lots of good stuff on there. http://www.myspace.com/coxjosh

Updates:

Posted: April 22nd, 2007, 5:38 pm
by PeterParker
1. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib ... tness.html

The gait hasn't closed

Despite layoff and disappointments, marathoner Josh Cox is convinced his best is yet to come

By Don Norcross
STAFF WRITER

March 2, 2007

Josh Cox is tired of the questions.

“When are you racing again? Why haven't you raced?”

Then there's the not-so-subtle, is-he-done dig.

The La Jolla shoreline provides a scenic backdrop for Josh Cox during a recent training run.

“How old are you, 36?”

Cox is 31, typically a marathoner's prime.

Problem is, the Christian High product hasn't raced a marathon in more than three years. His 2:13:55 personal best came nearly 6½ years ago.

So the questions linger.

“Where have you been?

A myriad of factors – a reality TV pursuit, injury, his brother's wedding and his late father's battle with cancer – have kept Cox from racing. He plans to enter the Los Angeles Marathon on Sunday, primarily as a 13-to 18-mile training run...

...Either way, this isn't the future many predicted for Cox when in 2000, at 24, he was the youngest qualifier at the marathon Olympic Trials...


2. http://www.competitor.com/article/?Guid ... d07e56d719

The Phoenix Shall Rise - The Road to Beijing

Josh Cox qualified for his first Olympic Marathon Trials in 1999 at the tender age of 23. Since then, he's earned big sponsors, been on the cover of numerous magazines and even been on reality TV. In the upcoming series of blogs, Josh will give us the inside scoop on his journey to qualify for the 2008 olympics.


I love the Phoenix. Do your best to eradicate any and all recollection of the Pontiac Firebird and mullets of the 70’s and think mythical, ancient Egyptian, sacred firebird, like the one in CS Lewis’ Narnia who burst into flames in front of the White Witch’s army.

For those in need of a refresher course, the Phoenix myth goes something like this - the beautiful bird lives for hundreds of years, and at the end of its life it builds a nest of twigs. He then ignites the nest, setting him aflame until both he and the nest are reduced to ashes.

I know you’re probably thinking that’s a horrible story, and it would be if it ended there, but it doesn’t. From within the ashes a new, young phoenix arises. I like to think that each time a new Phoenix is born he comes back stronger and more powerful than his predecessor.

Since running the 1999 Rock n’ Roll marathon and becoming the youngest US Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier at the age of 23, I’ve been in the running limelight. A year later I was 18th at the Trials, ran 2:13 at Chicago and competed on my first US National team.

A whirlwind ensued - my travels taking me to Japan, Italy, Switzerland, Kenya, Germany, Spain, Portugal, England, France, India, Canada, Mexico, and so on. I felt like Johnny Cash when he told the man on the Winnemucca road, “I’ve been everywhere, man.”

In 2004 I was 7th at the Olympic Trials, competed on the US World Half Marathon team, and somehow ended up on network TV grinning like a fool answering to “Josh, will you accept this rose?”

Then came the downward spiral. It all coincided with the airing of the Bachelorette show. Perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned here - a man should never take roses from a woman who is dating his friends.

Things got so bad I felt like a case study for Murphy’s Law. You know the Jonah story, the one where he gets tossed from the ship and swallowed by a whale; well he didn’t have it so bad. Since this is a Competitor Blog and not The National Enquirer or Tales From The Crypt, I’ll spare you the details. However, I will say if I live a thousand years it’ll be tough to top my terrible 2005...


3. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib ... chart.html

Eight down, more to come

March 2, 2007

Josh Cox's marathon history:


DATE RACE TIME PLACE


May 23, 1999 Rock n Roll 2:19:58 9th


May 7, 2000 Olympic Trials (Pittsburgh) 2:22:30 18th


Oct. 22, 2000 Chicago 2:13:55 7th


April 14, 2001 Boston Marathon 2:16:17 14th


Aug. 3, 2001 World Championships (Edmonton) 2:26:52 35th


Oct. 13, 2002 Chicago 2:15:01 18th


Oct. 12, 2003 Chicago 2:19:33 23rd


Feb. 2004 Olympic Trials (Birmingham, Ala.) 2:15:18 7th

from Josh Cox

Posted: June 20th, 2007, 2:36 am
by JCox
This is Josh.

Thanks for the interest. I posted a link to this forum on the myspace group:

http://groups.myspace.com/libertyflames

Anyway, I had some setbacks this spring but everything is going great at the moment.

The game plan still remains:

Get a qualifier and run the trials this November.

Things need to go close to perfect but Lord willing I'll be there.

My girlfriend's mom asked me today what my back up plan is if I don't qualify.

I'll share with you guys what I told her, "There is no plan B, I don't believe in back up plans, contingency plans, and safety nets. You shove all your chips out there and let them ride. If for some reason Plan A doesn’t work then I’ll find a new Plan A.”

Appreciate the prayers.

Running His Race,

--jc

ps- It's been great to watch JoshMcD destroy every record I held at LU.

No disrespect to any former or current LU athlete but he is unquestionably the greatest athlete Liberty has ever had... and second place isn't close. A 13:20 as a collegian is mind boggling.

This is a great forum. I'll check in from time to time.

Posted: June 20th, 2007, 7:26 am
by 01LUGrad
Thanks Josh! Great to hear from you. We will definetly be waiting for that qualifier and the Trials.

By the way guys, I think we just got a new "most famous person to post on the board" winner.
:bowdown

Posted: June 20th, 2007, 9:28 am
by olldflame
Anyone think Josh would have found this thread buried in the "other" category? :D

Sorry, I couldn't resist. :twisted:

Posted: June 20th, 2007, 9:38 am
by 01LUGrad
8)

Posted: June 20th, 2007, 11:02 am
by Sly Fox
Everybody's a comedian.

Seriously thanks for finding the board, Josh. Anybody else find it interesting to see one Josh distance runner extolling the virtues of another LU Josh?

Now we have both Joshes posting on the board.

Live audio broadcast of men's 10,000m

Posted: June 21st, 2007, 1:32 pm
by JCox
Hey guys,

Thought I would check in B4 the festivities tonight.

Men's 10k goes off at 8:20pm - coverage begins at 8.

My friends, Weldon and Robert Johnson of Letsrun.com, are covering the event.

http://www.letsrun.com/2007/live6217.php

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/ta ... 987&cmd=tc

I have many friends in the race but my good buddy Dan Browne was asking for my prayers a few days ago.

So pull and pray for him as well as Josh McD.

--jc

start list

Posted: June 21st, 2007, 1:40 pm
by JCox
Event 7 Men 10000 Meter Run
===============================================================================
Thursday 6/21/2007 - 8:20 PM
World: 26:17.53 8/26/2005 Kenenisa Bekele, ETH
American: 27:13.98 5/4/2001 Meb Keflezighi, Nike
Meet: 27:36.49 7/9/2004 Mebrahtom Keflizighi, Nike
Name Year Team Seed
===============================================================================
Section 1 Timed Finals
1 75 Fasil Bizuneh New Balance 28:25.69
2 734 Sean Quigley La Salle Uni 28:29.16
3 587 Joshua McDougal Liberty 28:27.65
4 782 Josh Rohatinsky unattached 27:55.00
5 232 Matthew Downin New Balance 28:30.53
6 117 Daniel Browne unattached 28:10.73
7 456 Jeremy Johnson unattached 28:47.76
8 631 Edward Moran Nike 27:43.13
9 189 Alan Culpepper Nike 27:50.05
10 366 Jason Hartmann Boulder Perf 28:15.00
11 794 Galen Rupp Oregon 27:33.48
12 126 Fernando Cabada Reebok 28:25.62
13 1 Abdi Abdirahman Nike 27:22.81
14 931 Jorge Torres Reebok 27:42.91
15 301 Jeffrey Gaudette unattached 28:47.18
16 726 Jeffrey Powers unattached 28:43.83
17 648 Tim Nelson unattached 28:04.46
18 754 Sergio Reyes Asics Aggies 28:39.23
19 901 Steve Sundell unattached 28:28.01
20 832 Ryan Shay Saucony 28:03.44
21 309 Patrick Gildea N Y A C 28:45.68
22 319 Matthew Gonzales Nike 28:22.33
23 930 Edwardo Torres Reebok 28:28.10
24 768 Dathan Ritzenhein Nike 27:35.65
25 345 Ryan Hall Asics 28:07.93

Ryan Hall is a hardcore believer as well - he is coming off an amazing marathon debut in London. This will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

--jc

Posted: June 21st, 2007, 2:26 pm
by Hold My Own
Josh,

Thanks for stopping by as much as you are, there are a lot of eyes that love reading the updates even though they are not posting. Thanks and it's great having someone in the trenches coming on here and chatting it up!

Posted: June 21st, 2007, 2:45 pm
by Knucklehead
I love the on location take. Go Josh M
Thanks jcox

Posted: June 21st, 2007, 3:25 pm
by 01LUGrad
Ahhh. Josh, you beat me to posting the links for tonight. I like having the competition on getting these things on here now!

:nod

Posted: August 15th, 2007, 8:53 pm
by 01LUGrad
For those of you wondering about Josh's big secret plan to get an Olympic Trials qualifier before November, I found some wild speculation on letsrun.com (some of those guys have...ummm...negative opinions). I have been watching his Mammoth Lakes videos, and it looks like he is in pretty good shape. I would love to know the truth, but according to a previous post on a different thread, I would have to pay for it with my life. :D

http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read. ... ad=2071485

Posted: August 15th, 2007, 10:12 pm
by Sly Fox
If there is anything I have learned in close to two decades covering sports its that you should never underestimate anyone when they are focused on a goal. Naysayers will always be offering their insight. I remember the guffaws being hurled at a cyclist I was covering in Austin named Lance SomethingOrOther a decade ago when he told everyone he wanted to get back on a bike and ride the Tour de France again someday (even though he had never shown much in his prior attempts at the Tour before his cancer). We all saw how that worked out.

I don't think Josh needs any of us to have his back. But he certainly has our support.

update - log - running videos - Runner's World article

Posted: August 22nd, 2007, 2:22 am
by JCox
Thought I should check in - thanks to everyone here for their support... I'm training my butt off but training smart. DB, Meb and Bob have been a big help...

"we do it to get a crown that will last forever."

Runner's World Article

http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/2007/ ... ws-jo.html

Video Diaries

http://www.youtube.com/jaycarbon

S- 15
m- 18
t- 14
w- 14
t- 17
f- 14
s- 18 felt like crap… I remember when I was fast.
110
s- 5 miles b4 church took afternoon off, I’ll go 20 tomorrow.


m- 20 miles
t- 16 miles
w- 11 miles July 4th
t- 18 miles
f- 15 miles drove to Mammoth
s- first run at altitude – Bob suggested I should run easy – Deena was running a tempo with, Matt Byrne, Dan and the rest of the crew – I ran with them for 2 miles… then ran the rest at 6 minute pace
AM-12
PM- 5 + core work
17 total
s- 1:52 at 9000 ft. 18
meb went 2:02
iced in stream
115

M- AM- 1:30 debacle Better known as the left hand Inyo Crater Fiber One debacle … and that’s all I’m going to say about that. With Meb, DB and Bob. Stream.
PM – 25 minutes with DB then core work with Meb – 3 but I ran through town and back up to the condos 7 miles
19 total
T- AM – 9000ft. 2:05 Meb was running intervals on the lake – I ran the whole time. Base, base, base, strength, strength, strength. 19 miles Stream.
PM- 50 minutes easy with Meb and DB 7 + Core, weights and rope
26 for the day
W- AM- 1:30 with DB from Meb’s house on Meb’s trail as it is appropriately called. 13 Stream.
PM- Meb told us he had a 20 minute loop. If you ask Dan we finished in 21:00 if you ask Meb 20:59 + Core, weights and rope 3
16 total
T- shady rest out and back with DB 12 miles + Meb cool down 15
Pm- 48 minutes 7 miles easy
22 miles

F- Lake Mary – 12 miles
PM – off – too many miles this week 40 minutes of core and weights with Meb
S- AM- 13
PM- 5 miles
18
S- 21 miles 2:21 – Meb 2:17 (db – 17 miles)
134 MILES for the week

M- AM- Lake Mary 12 miles
PM- 5 miles + core – tired this afternoon – dan left me in the dust
T- AM – Shady Rest 12 miles + 21 minutes of running +strides 15 total
PM- 48 minutes – 7 miles
22 total
W- AM-1:39 sorta kinda got lost – 15
PM- 45 minutes – 7
22
T- AM – 1:21 with fellas + strides + 27 minutes with Meb moving good (4 miles) + strides 16 miles
[77 so far]
PM- core + weights + 32 minutes running – 5 miles
21 for the day
[82 for the week]
F- 14 miles – Lake Mary
PM- 4 MILES + core
S- 3.5 warm up + 9.5 mile tempo + 3 miles cool down 16 total – legs tired on the tempo
Pm- 5 miles
21
S- 20 miles at Lake Mary
141 for the week

M- fasted all day. One year since dad passed.
15 miles easy – listening to Chesterton’s The Man Who Was Thursday made the run pass quickly 1:40
T- AM- 13
PM- 3.5 b4 core and weights – 6 after
22.5
W- AM - 13 total [6 miles + 4 mile temp in 20:10 + 3mile cool down]
PM- 3 miles – 7 miles + core
23 total
T-AM- 12 Lake Mary
PM- 6
18 total
F- AM – 3 warm up +1 ran to ½ mile twice + strides
Tempo to 6 and back to start line 12 total
Somebody left the E-Brake on - afternoon off the next 2 days.
16 total
S- 1:40 up and around Lake Mary + horseshoe trails and back down.
15 miles
109.5
S- 24.2 miles in Mammoth
2:31:58
134 miles for the week

M- AM- 1:06 – 11 miles
PM- 30 minutes 5
16 miles
T- 50 minute warm up 25 minute tempo at 5 minute pace + cool down 90 minute total
PM- 58 minutes
24 miles
W- AM- ran at 6am to the beach 12 miles
PM – 9 miles
21 miles
T- 9 miles
F- 4 miles – legs are dead. Afternoon off.
S- 15 miles to the beach
S- AM – 1:58 – 20 miles down towards San Clemente and back
109 for the week

M- off
T- down to San Clemente back up through Laguna and back down to Laguna Niguel- 27 miles 2:42 had planned on driving back up to Mammoth today but I’m a train wreck. I’ll leave tomorrow.
W- AM - 15
Drove up to Mammoth, was going to LA traffic so I pulled off at the Irvine Spectrum and killed 2 hours. Pulled into Mammoth late late late. Went to bed at 3am.
T- slept in til the afternoon. I don’t log miles on my birthday, it’s sorta tradition.
F- went for another long run. 19 miles 1:57. Sherwin Creek road down to 395 to 203 back around Mammoth and up to the condo.
S- 1:30 – 15 miles = last 25 at tempo pace
PM- hung out with the Altitude Project guys, talked with Jimmer etc. bonfire late. Dan pulled in at 9:30 from Oregon. We ran 6 miles at 12:15 in the morning. While other guys are sleeping, we’re training… or something like that.
S- AM – 12 at Lake Mary 1:18
PM- 6
18 total
100 miles

M- AM – 45 minute warm up - 11 minutes 2.1 miles – 2 miles back up
Mile on grass + 10 strides at Shady Rest - 13
PM - at snowcreek with DB 5.5
T- AM – 6am 11 miles easy
Drove to Reno
W- AM- 12 miles at Lake Mary with DB
PM- at shady rest – 6 + 3 = 9 miles
T- 4 mile warm up – 6 x mile – 4:44, 4:52, 4:58, 5:02, 4:52, 5:02 – 3 mile cool down
PM - 7 + core right b4 sunset – the wolf run
F- 80+ with meb, db, Hall, and Malone College at lookout 12.5
PM- 6 core
S – Tempo – 4 warm up – ran to 6 came back – 15 total
PM - 4.5 core
S- 15.5 - 1:45 – debacle – got a bug Friday night… Went to the Lighthouse church with Ryan Hall, DB, Avery and Carrie
124 for the week

M- AM- 12 @ Lake mary with Ryan, Meb, DB, Mike, Mike and Avery
PM- core with the fellas – Mike, Ryan, Meb, DB and Bob + 5 + got engaged
17 total
T- AM- @ Shady Rest (7500ft)– 4 warm up
7 x Mile 90 seconds recovery – 4:56 – 4:53 – 4:51 – 4:44 – 4:46 - 4:50 – 4:33
stayed really active on the recovery
15 x diagonal + jog + 3 cool down
16+ total
PM – 50 minutes with Meb and DB + Core with Mike, Ryan, Meb, DB and Bob – 7 miles
23 total
AM- 12.5 with meb and db
PM- 3.5 + core + 4
20 total

Posted: August 22nd, 2007, 8:32 am
by 01LUGrad
Josh,

Looks like you are doing some great work. I have been keeping up with the training videos. Meb is a pretty funny guy! Our prayers are with you as you attempt the come-back. This is going to be a great story!

Oh...did I see something about "got engaged" last Monday? Congrats on that (I wonder what the '?' is in the log).

Posted: August 22nd, 2007, 8:41 pm
by PeterParker
Impressive stuff...cool to see the comaraderie and a close up of the 2004 Silver Medalist...pretty cool.


Dude, Cox channeling Napolean at the end of the 24.8 mile run video (episode 13, I think?) Nice.


Kudos, bro, and godspeed in your quest.


______________________________

"Yeah, right. Who's the only one who knows the illegal ninja moves from the government."

Can a Mammoth change energize Cox's career?

Posted: September 3rd, 2007, 9:59 pm
by 01LUGrad
Cox faces a daunting task if he's going to qualify for his third Olympic Trials in the marathon. Nine weeks shy of the trials in New York, he hasn't met the 2:22 qualifying standard.

The plan is to run the Oct. 6 St. George Marathon, a fast, downhill course.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib ... 31cox.html


"All" he has to do is run 26.2 miles in 2:22 to qualify for the trials. That's only about 5:22 per mile for the distance. To make the team a month later, he'll have to finish 3rd or better in a field that includes several guys who have run under 2:10 (4:57 pace).

I've seen Rudy and Seabiscut. It can be done! Go Josh!
Is. 40:31


By the way...the elevation profile on that course doesn't look legal! almost a 2,500 foot elevation drop over the 42k. Nice!
http://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/race/20 ... on_map.pdf