INTERVIEW WITH DANELLE BALLENGEE
Danelle Ballengee's first win in an adventure race came in Fort Collins in 1998. Since then, her former Team Nike ACG/Balance Bar, which included Mike Kloser, Michael Tobin and Ian Adamson, won adventure racing's most prestigious events around the world, including the Adventure Racing World Championships in Canada in 2004, Primal Quest, the sport's richest race, 2002-2004 and Raid World Championships in 2004 in Patagonia.
The versatile athlete has been named female adventure racer of the year twice, set the female speed record for climbing Colorado's 54 peaks of more than 14,000 feet, had a three-year undefeated streak in snowshoe racing, qualified for the Olympic Trials in the marathon and won her age group at the Hawaii Ironman.
Thanks to ankle surgery seven weeks ago that has kept the 34-year-old ball of energy on the sofa longer than at any other time in her life, I caught up to Ballengee by phone at her Dillon condo to talk about her evolution in the sport, her breakup with the successful Team Nike ACG/Balance Bar, her new team and much more.
The following interview is taken from a piece by Miles Blumhardt orginally published by the Coloradoan with additional comments by Danelle.
How did you get started in adventure racing?
My volleyball coach at Evergreen High School was Lo Hunter (National High School Hall of Fame member) and she was kind of mean to me and basically told me that I wasn't tall enough to play. I had spent all summer doing volleyball camps. When she told me that I wasn't going to get playing time, it hurt. I quit the team and went out for cross country the very next day. It was one of the best things that ever happened to me.
What did your parents think about your doing adventure racing when you started?
I lost a hostess job at a restaurant while in college because I wanted a day off to do a triathlon. They said no, but I went to the triathlon anyways and lost the job. My dad both lectured me about focusing more on studies and to start thinking about a real job. But I qualified for the Hawaii Ironman at that triathlon and decided I wanted to go. My parents were unsure of my decision to go. But a week or two before the race in Hawaii, my dad said he was coming to the race. It was awesome to have him there, and I think watching me do the race made him realize I wanted to do this kind of thing. Now my parents are my biggest supporters. My parents are fantastic. They support me 100% and come to events when they can, or keep updated on the internet. They also take care of my dog while I'm traveling around the world!
Where do you most often train?
Around my homes, in Dillon, CO and Moab, UT. I love the Gore Range and paddling on Lake Dillon and also love canyon country and paddling on the Colorado River.
How much time do you spend weekly training?
Usually 10 to 20 hours with a good balance of paddling, biking and running. I also do strength training. In summer I'll also swim and inline skate and in the winter I go snowshoeing and skate skiing. I try to train with my Team Spyder teammates as much as possible.
On your adventure racing teams, you are typically the only female member. Is that difficult?
It can be. In the shorter races the female on the team has to work at a higher percentage of their maximum VO2, so we tend to get "worked over." In the longer races it gets easier to keep up, as females tend to have better endurance and resilience over time. Some guys are great to race with and are easy to get along with. Others are more difficult and tend to treat the female as 'mandatory gear.' Everyone on the team is human and has something to offer. It is important to race with a team where teammates treat everyone with respect. If that's not happening then the dynamics might not be right.and even if they team is winning, if it's not fun and if you don't feel like your being treated fairly, then it's time to find new teammates. That's what I did last year and it was a good decision. My new teammates and our sponsor, Spyder, are fantastic. I'm having fun again and love the sport again. Our team treats each other really well. It's nice.
How about your new team?
We are Team Spyder. Spyder is know for its skiing apparel, but will be launching an outdoor line soon. Our team is a big part of that. We help with product development and testing, and we try to get the word out there about Spyder and all their cool apparel and packs. The members are Travis Macy, Dave Mackey, John Jacoby and I. Our team started racing together last year and we've gained a lot of experience over the last year. We're ready to get out and kick ass this year! Team members will be doing both solo and team races.
Wildest race experience?
I've had a lot! Here's one: while racing in Borneo in 2000, my teammates and I had headlamps on at night and we kept seeing these red eyeballs following us. It was freaky. About a month ago, they found this new species of flesh-eating cat in the jungles of Borneo. We don't know if that's what we were seeing, but it was freaky. Also in Borneo, almost everyone got leptospirosis (read diarrhea and vomiting) and the leeches were all over! I pulled one off my eye lid. I rinsed the blood from the leech bite off my eye with my hand that I had washed with dirty river water. The cut later got infected and developed a corneal ulcer that left me blind for three days. I got my first helicopter ride while getting evacuated out, but couldn't enjoy it since I couldn't see.
Toughest event?
After each one, I say that it was the hardest. I can't pick out any one in particular.
What are you most proud of?
I guess it would be that I have been able to compete in endurance events with success for a long time. Over the last 15 years I've had a lot of good results; including National and World Championships in a lot of different types of endurance sports. I'm proud of that. I can't think of a better career! I also enjoy helping to inspire others to participate in endurance- sport type activities. There are so many benefits, and if I can help others to feel the benefits it makes me proud. I enjoy both coaching and race directing. I do this in addition to competing.
Think any female will beat your Colorado Fourteener record?
It certainly can be beaten. I had some logistical and weather problems, so I know it can be done faster. After I did it, I said that I wouldn't do it again until somebody beat my record. No female has even tried. Now that it's been a few years (five years) and the thoughts of the rought times goes away, so I think about doing it again. The problem is that I don't want to expose myself to lightening again. To break my own record, likely I would have to.
What's the future of adventure racing? It was hot and now with no Primal Quest last year and Mark Burnett taking time off of his Eco-Challenge to concentrate on "Survivor'' where does it go?
Before last year, there was pretty good TV coverage and adventure racing was a 'hot' and 'exciting' sport, but last year there was a bit of a lull as far a big races and TV coverage, although the sport has continued to grow from a grassroots standpoint. There has been an explosion in the number of beginner/intro - type events. This year the sport has regained its spark, with the return of the Primal Quest and also the World Championships in Sweden and the growth of the Raid and Raid series. There are also several solo adventure races and adventurous type events that are growing in popularity. I really think the sport in going to continue to grow and we'll see more and more of it on TV. Rumor has it that the Eco-Challenge may return, but the reality is I'm not sure it will as Mark Burnett seems busy with his reality TV stuff. There are several other races, like Primal Quest that will take its place.
Have any goals yet to accomplish?
Sure, lot's of goals. Right now I'm focused on racing for Spyder and having continued success with the adventure-sport thing. I'd like to have a successful couple years and to help my teammates and sponsors achieve our goals. For the future, I've got some ideas of cool things I'd like to do. I'd like to climb some big mountains like Denali, Kilimanjaro, and Elbrus. I would love to do Everest, but I'm not sure if that's realistic. I wouldn't mind going for some distance speed records on trails like the Pacific Crest, Colorado, or Appalachian trails. But right now, I'm still focusing on multi sport racing.
Five favorite pieces of adventure racing equipment?
Duct tape, zip ties, running shoes, ibuprofen, and a shower cap. The shower cap keeps your head warm and dry.
Hardest part of an adventure race?
Working through the low points and persevering. These races always include the unexpected.
What's the most money you made in adventure race?
We won the Primal Quest and won $100,000. We split it up equally between teammates and also gave a percentage to our support crew.
How do you spend your money?
I've invested my money mainly in real estate. I live part time in a small one-bedroom condo in Dillon, CO and part time in a three-bedroom fixer-upper house in Moab where I rent two of the rooms and keep one for myself and my friends to stay when I'm in town. I also own a three-bedroom house in Silverthorne that I rent out. Finally, I have a cute mini-cabin on 1.3 acres in Alma, CO. I ended up buying all of these properties kind of by accident. I've lived in all of them and didn't want to sell them when I had to move. Their good investments...I hope!
When do you get to the end of the road?
I'm hoping I can do this for a few more years. Endurance sports are demanding. It's tough to stay at the top with so many good athletes and teams pushing the pace. I'm sure I'll get burned out at some point, but for right now I enjoy the challenge and want to keep giving it my best. As long as my body holds up! I've noticed I need more sleep now as I get older and continue to compete. Sleep seems to help keep the road going!
Ever want to get married and have kids?
I like kids, but the kids would need a dad before I could become a mom..so that's on hold until at least marriage becomes part of the picture. My mom keeps bugging my sister (Michelle) and me because she wants to become a grandma so badly. Right now she has two granddogs. Both my sister and I have cute, loving mutts that are good companions. For now, that'll have to do!