Some of you may have heard about Danelle and her accident. Danelle is one of the absolut ebest multisport athletes in the world - period. After tiring from Ironman cometitons, she turned to endurance running, and then adventure racing, and won every major adventure race in the world.
Danelle was trail running with her dog Taz in Moab and took a fall on black ice near the Amasaback trail. She broke her pelvis and was basically immobilized. Some lucky factors came into place for her though, as she was where someone wouldn’t normally go. She had a couple of gels and some water and was able to get to a puddle for more hydration. Her neighbor called Gary, her Dad, when she happened to notice the lights on at Danelle’s house and Gary called the Moab police. Rescuers found her truck immediately but not her. They searched for her on foot and ATV’s and came closr to not immediately finding her. Danelle ended up spending two nights out in sub zero temperatures and was found on the third day by rescuers who were led to Nellie by Taz. She came close to spending a third night out, which Gary thinks may have been the end of her.
She was transported to Grand Junction and is now at Denver General Hospital, where she had surgery today. I spoke with her Mom right before surgery, and it will be a very long road to recovery - physically, emotionally, and financially.
Just thought many of you would want to know. 5430 is already planning to do something special for her at our Winter Triathlon Championship in February - a race she always attended, and an event where she finished 8th at Worlds last year. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for her.