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And now for something slightly different!
24th Sep 2015
A different perspective - blog by Mr Fox!
So, here we are - we've set up camp in Sardinia and are in full prep mode for the next race. Lou and I were talking about a pre-race blog and came to the conclusion that it might just be time for something different - this in its self is a milestone, as any of you who really know Mrs Fox will realise!
The last two years of elite racing - with fifteen months being full-time - have been quite the adventure. It was a bold decision for Lou to leave work, but there was an itch that needed to be scratched. The planning had been meticulous, we both knew that it wasn't going to make us financially wealthy but felt confident that the experience alone would prove to be priceless...
Doubt can be an unhappy bedfellow, there were times where Lou questioned her choices and some armchair experts offered their pearls of wisdom - questioning her training methods and the validity of her decision. With hindsight, I can see that this was the best thing that could have happened... 'you can't do that', or 'you shouldn't do that' usually result in a certain someone feeling compelled to prove a point!
Lou's determination alone would not have been enough to get her to the start line of the Elite World Championships, this blog is for those people who have made the magic happen in the background, day in and day out:
Jez Cox, Tom Dowie and Andy Hill have been the coaching juggernaut that have made this dream a reality!
Mountain Trax continue to offer unrivalled technical support, the likes of which are usually seen in F1 pit crews... Chris continues to be Chris, finding answers to Lou's esoteric questions - normally at a million miles an hour. Paul is ready with technical advice, specification tweaks and future-proofing, Steve - poised to drop spanners and get the race machine (the bike, not my wife) into the stand for major refurbishments and regular pre/post-race fettles, often with little or no notice. Also, Dan 'The Wheels' Arbon!
Alex Drummond and the Drummond Clinic have been on hand, in a heart beat. Alex's no nonsense physio and high expectations have matched Lou's need to be in the best shape that she can be. If he told her that she needed to stand on her head for an hour she'd do it!
Special mentions must also go to David Lloyd, Zone3 and 2Pure for your continued and unfaltering support.
Most importantly, we can't afford to forget our parents, family and friends who continue to understand and accept that sometimes our life fits in around training!
Thank you all... we really wouldn't be here without you!
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