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The Latest on Ballengee

Paul Romero / 28.12.2006

Following her fall while out trail running near Moab, international racer Danelle Ballengee is now recovering in hospital.

It\'s been 5 days since massive surgery put her shattered pelvis back together and I\'ve caught the 2 time world champion, snow shoe racing legend, and Ironman competitor as she\'s just about to endure another brutal physical therapy session.

SM: So how they treating you at Denver General Hospital?
DB: I\'ve been lucky, they are treating me real well. This hospital is super nice.

SM: What do you make of this giant outpouring from the AR community, and the media?
DB: It\'s been unbeivable, it brings tears to my eyes. With the therapy, pain meds, visitors, odd sleep hours, doctors... I\'ve been busy. I\'ve never been so tired. The pain is immense. I just got off morphine, and can think a bit more clearly now.

Having such a response from the AR world ... it means so much to me.

SM: Tell us about Taz. What a friend eh?
[Danelle\'s dog which stayed with her and then lead rescuers to her position.]
DB: Taz is good dog, I miss him. He is with my parents. The last I saw him I was petting him as I was going into chopper, and did not see him until the Good Morning America show. He probably thought I died. Now he knows I\'m alive.

Funny story, he went to my sisters house about a mile from the hospital. Shortly after arriving he jumped the fence and ran back to the hospital and was at the door trying to get in to see me. What a friend!