by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Daniel Madalena, 35, is an ultra-marathoner. He is a tribal member of Jemez (Hemish) Pueblo. He lives in Jemez Pueblo, northwest of Albuquerque, NM, and the community is known by the people as Walatowa.
The ultra marathon distances are further than a 26.2-mile marathon. “I’ve been running ultra marathons for the last four years,” said Daniel. “I began in 2016, as a way to test myself but I immediately became addicted to the culture. Since 2016 I’ve run the Pikes Peak Marathon, 50k’s, 50 milers, and I’ve completed the Leadville 100.”
“My biggest accomplishment so far has been finishing the Leadville 100 in Leadville, CO,” said Daniel. “This race has over 15,000 feet of elevation gain and a cut off time of 30 hours.”
The King of the Mountains: Steven Gachupin and Al Waquie
Daniel Madalena is running in the footsteps of his ancestors who ran before him. “Our tribe is rich in culture and traditions,” said Daniel. “We have an emphasis on speaking our native language and practicing our Jemez traditional ways. Running is a central part of all of this. Stories from elders like my grandfather Joe Madalena and my high school cross country coach Steven Gachupin really give me the drive and inspiration.”
“High school coach Steven Gachupin told stories after stories about Barr Trail and Pikes Peak Marathon,” said Daniel.
Steven Gachupin the runner has ran marathons for the past 50-plus years. He and fellow Jemez Pueblo runner and cousin Al Waquie are known interchangeably as the ‘King of the Mountains’. For more than a few decades, Steven would start running toward the sunrise when it was dark. He would do a three hour run non-stop every other day. “I jog once in awhile now,” said Steven. “I slowed over the past 50 years. I’m 77 years old but I feel like 35.”
“Al and I used to run together but not race each other,” said Steven. “I am a six-time Pikes Peak Marathon winner and six times in a row from 1966 to 1971. I am an eight-time winner of the LaLuz Trail Race in Albuquerque. Al Waquie won it five times.” The La Luz Trail Race is a 9.2 mile climb up a 12% grade to the top of the 10,678-foot Sandia Crest.
Al Waquie won the Pikes Peak Marathon in 1981 and 1982. He also won the Empire State Building Run-Up five consecutive times. The race included 1,575 steps, 86 floors, and 1050 feet.
Steven was known for developing his own strategies to run. He said, “I don’t train like no one else. I don’t run with anyone because I would be waiting for them.”
Steven Gachupin the high school running coach took last year off due to a painful knee injury. It was his first year off in 42 years. He is one of the state’s top track and cross-country coaches at Jemez Valley High School with multiple state championships in boys and girls divisions.
He refers to his past athletes as his ‘kids’. “All my kid’s are good runners,” said Steven. “Daniel, his uncles Cornell and Peter and his sister were good runners … good athletes.”
Al Waquie talked about taking only a knife in his deer hunting. He would run after the deer until to the point of exhaustion of the deer and not Al. Steven Gachupin also talked about running after the deer and the elk. He would run to the point of scaring them.
“That’s exactly why I admire these men,” said Daniel. “They took running to a whole different level. I haven’t tried anything like that yet. I would like to. It’s a form of meditation for me being out and about. Thinking about the past and all men that have come before me and looking at my future setting goals and ways of reaching those goals.”
Family Influences and Race Support
Families run together and stay together as support at Jemez Pueblo. The Madalena running family continues to run and walk either competitively, recreational, or ceremonial. Active family members include Daniel Joshua Madalena (dad) 1/2 marathoner, Gail Romero (mom) 5k-1/2 marathon, Alecxandria Madalena (sister) 5k-1/2 marathon, Peter Madalena (uncle) marathoner, and recreational runners Leslie Madalena (aunt), Maria Madalena Chama (aunt), Cornell Madalena (uncle), and Kathy Romero (aunt). Grandpa Jose Madalena, 88, walks 1-2 miles three times a week.
“My uncle Peter Madalena, who was coached by Joe Vigil at Adams State and ran with the best including Frank Shorter, was also a positive influence,” said Daniel.
“My uncle Cornell is a big influence,” said Daniel. “He’s one of my biggest supporters. He ran in high school. So he shares stories from his high school days. He’s been there for me at Leadville both times in 2018 and 2019.”
“My mother Gail Romero is an influence,” said Daniel. “I can remember being really small and watching her run in races, parking at my grandfather’s field and running mile after mile. I’ve seen her complete half marathons and trail runs. She’s inspiring and gives me the drive to know that anything at any age is possible.”
Ultra-running events oftentimes are more than 24 hours. Gail Romero reflected on being a support person for her son: “It was after midnight on a dark, cold night as I stood waiting at Half Pipe, waiting for some sign of Daniel to come in, thinking, be optimistic, and looking down the road I remember seeing a line of headlights in a distant. Finally! Someone that looked like him ran by me, and I called out Daniel? He stopped and turned around. The relief I felt when I saw him was the best feeling. We hadn’t seen him for hours. He made it to this point.”
“While I stood waiting I remembered his running days, from the time he started running at age 6 in kindergarten to middle school when he was recruited to run with high schoolers until in 2018 when he ran Leadville for the first time. He missed it by a few minutes, and we were there to see his disappointment, how we all felt, when we left Hope Pass, headed back to the truck, with just a few words to say,” added Gail.
Peter Olson has been running seriously since the mid 1970’s when he was a junior high kid in Ethiopia. His family came back from Africa for his high school years when he ran and skied cross-country and track. He was a student at the University of Minnesota Duluth and organized his first races in the mid 1980’s. Peter is the race director for some really tough races in New Mexico.
“I met Dan when he started his first race series at Jemez Pueblo,” said Peter Olson. “We worked together to provide races for his people.”
“In 2018 I intended to pace him in his first attempt at the Leadville 100. His family, crew and I waited at the turn around. He missed that cut off time by a few minutes and wasn’t able to continue the race. He made it 50 miles. He was very disappointed. A lot was riding on his shoulders. The people of Jemez Pueblo were counting on him. He was a big role model and he felt he let them down. This helped him focus on 2019. He trained harder, and more. He studied the course map and splits. He planed his food better. He timed his pace and time in aid stations down to the minute and worked for the goal of finishing and earning his 100-mile buckle,” said Peter.
“2019 came around and Dan was ready to achieve his goal and fulfill his family’s hopes for him,” said Peter. “His sister and I were going to pace him for the second half of the race and the rules dictate it is the most we could run with him. The race started early Saturday and he was doing great. He was on schedule and even a bit faster through some of the aid stations than he budgeted. But it became apparent that his sister wasn’t going to be able to run with him at all.”
“I let him know this as we started up Hope Pass on our way back to Leadville,” said Peter. “He took it in stride, figuratively and literally. Hope Pass is a tough 13-mile section over a 13,000ish foot high pass. On the way down from the pass to the tiny village of Twin Lakes I realized I had forgotten the headlamps. The sun was setting and I told Dan and he said ‘We better run faster.’ We reached Twin Lakes in the dark, crossing several streams by feel.”
“His feet were blistered pretty bad from the stream crossings on the way over and obviously were not getting better. His team at Twin Lakes worked on his feet, drained the blisters that covered a large amount of the bottom of his feet. With fresh socks and dry shoes he set off into the night alone. I met him later, around midnight or so nine miles away. We ran the rest of the race together, 40ish miles all together,” added Peter.
“His ultimate goal was under 24 hours,” said Peter. “When we realized that wasn’t going to happen he re-focused on the buckle and 29 hours. We ran through the night talking sometimes, especially when the trail was rocky. One moment, early in the morning maybe around 4 am we hit a wide smooth dirt road. After a few minutes of running on this smooth surface we both grew quiet. I started to weave and my head was bobbing. Dan was doing the same. We struggled on for another couple of miles when we caught a bunch of runners from Mexico. We snapped out of what we realized was falling asleep on our feet. We each had been awake for more than 24 hours by this time.”
“The night sky started to give up its stars to light in the east,” said Peter. “As the sun rose Dan started to struggle. His energy was sapped. Every step was tough. His eyes were nearly shut with effort. He was mumbling. But he didn’t ever stop. Slowly I was able to understand whet he was saying. He couldn’t quit. He couldn’t stop. His people depended on him. His family believed in him. He dug deep and started to repeat the mantra: ‘Dig Deep.’ He pushed on along the single track along Turquoise Lake and 10 miles to go.”
“We talked strategy on how to finish in 29 hours or less. At our pace it was going to be tight. We needed to pick it up a bit. Dan said: ‘after this section of single track we come to a road. That’s where we will run and walk and run and walk.’ We had been power-hiking most of the last rugged few miles,” added Peter.
“As we worked our way around the edge of a campground we came to the top of a steep and rocky descent,” said Peter. “Dan took off like a shot and was a mad man careening down the technical trail. That’s what we did for the rest of the way to the finish line. Pick a spot up ahead run to it, walk and run again. We passed at least a hundred runners this way.”
“The last half-mile was on pavement, a little climb and then the view from top of the street straight down to the finish. Dan had nothing left in the tank so I don’t know where his kick came from but he had one and was strong to the finish. His family, son, daughter, sister, mom, uncle, cousins, girlfriend were there to cross the line with him. He made it under 29 hours. He earned his buckle. He more than earned my respect. I am still awed by his determination and his drive. I am continually impressed by how he did dig deep and find what he needed to cross the finish line. He is an amazing runner, wonderful human being and I am proud to call him my friend,” added Peter.
“Daniel has shown us what you can accomplish, when you combine hard work and desire,” said Gail. “He has proved it, when he finished Leadville last year in 2019 we were all there at the finish line to cheer him on. And the many marathons, triathlons, Tough Mudders and Pikes Peak he’s competed in.”
“My grandkids, AO … Ares Oliver (3) and Arianna (10) are the two loves of his life,” said Gail. “Daniel is a father of two beautiful kids, he adores them. He is also training Arianna to run, he takes her to help him prepare for his events. AO loves it when he puts him on his shoulders and take them for a walk in the evenings or to grandpas house.”
“As a mother I am proud of my son, it gives me joy to hear him talk about his next endeavor,” said Gail. “In support I will be at the starting line to cheer him on and at the finish line to embrace and celebrate his accomplishments.”
The Pandemic Arrived
The pandemic has changed the sport world quickly. Plans changed overnight. Runners may continue to run but change to the conditions that they are in.
“Cedro Peak was cancelled,” said Daniel. “But I’m doing my own 50k time trial on the same day. This is to see where I’m at in a 50k time trial. I want to see how my body responds to its first time/trial race.”
“These are tune up for races in June and July. I’m debating whether to do an out and back or a looped six-mile course. There are pros and cons to both. Pros to an out and back is the veritable climbing I get to do running west and the cons I’ll need someone all day or six hours at least. Pros to using a six-mile loop that will start and finish at my house is I don’t need anyone and I can set up my own aid station. The course is a little flatter so my time may be a little faster.”
The Leadville Trail Marathon is in Leadville, Colorado. The event is in its 19th year. It will be held on June 13, 2020. According to the event website, the course winds its way “through the historic mining district’s challenging old mining roads and trails, and hit a high of 13,185 feet at Mosquito Pass. The views will leave you breathless, if you’re not already.”
“As of today Leadville has not cancelled any of its race series,” said Daniel. “My training is going as planned I feel lighter and far more efficient in my turn over than I did last year. So the goal is to win in my age group at the Leadville Marathon so that I get a spot in the Leadville 100 in August.”
“Working for the Public Health Department has me knowledgeable in regards to the precautions I need to take,” said Daniel. “Being sober and spending more time with my kids has had me social distancing for the last five months. If I eat right and get my rest and I take the necessary precautions I don’t see why I can’t train hard for the next 6-8 months. The only problem I see is that all my races get cancelled and if that happens I’ll set up more time trials in terms of 50k’s and 50 milers. I want to explore more of the trails that Steven Gachupin and Al Waquie talk about.”
Race Goals Continue To Climb
“My first 50k was supposed to be on April 18, 2020,” said Daniel. “The Cedro Peak 50k followed by Jemez Mountain Trail Run 50k, Dragons Back Ultra 50k in June to prep for either the Leadville Marathon or the Silver Rush 50 miler in Leadville Colorado. Both races in Leadville give runners an opportunity to race for a spot in the Leadville 100 Run Across the Sky in August and that is the ultimate goal. I’ve gradually increased my mileage for the last two months hitting now 60 miles a week.”
“My goal is to get in at least two 100-mile weeks before my April race. I have incorporated strength training into the programming and that has helped me tremendously with injury prevention and overall fitness. I had a problem with alcohol as well. I’ve been sober for the last four months and that has been beneficial to my recovery. I am looking forward to this year’s race season. Ultimately my goal is to complete Leadville 100 in under 20 hours then head down to Manitou Springs to run the Pikes Peak Marathon the following day,” added Daniel.
Providing Leadership To Keep Running Traditions
Daniel Madalena started the event, Endurance Jemez in 2016. The race was originally named Walatowa Endurance Challenge. In 2018 after participating in Endurance Santa Fe the decision was made to change the name of the race to Endurance Jemez. The race events initially only had a 10k and a half marathon with less than 100 participants running both races.
“In 2020 our race has grown to 675 participants spread through four events,” said Daniel. “The event included a marathon, half marathon, 10k and 5k fun run. The other three races are professionally timed events. As a race director I’ve met so many people in all aspects of running including other race directors and awesome trail runners. The event is completely free of charge. The original goal was to revitalize trail running in our community of Jemez. To inspire our youth to keep running as our elders did long before and as youth will long after we are gone. It’s an amazing experience race directing, but all of this couldn’t be done without a great public heath team.”
Daniel has a message for all the youth participants: “It is important to put one foot in front of the other to make progress,” said Daniel. ”Every single one of you kids has an opportunity to do something great. Find something you’re passionate about and put in the effort, work on the process and be great.”
“Daniel is a compassionate person, and very respectful to his elders,” said Gail Romero. “He enjoys his job, helping the community to stay healthy.
“His psychological zeal for running has sustained him as he continues to train for his next adventure. He inspires us all, to keep active and eat healthy; he can make some good breakfast oats,” added Gail.
When asked why he runs and runs so far, Daniel responded: “I love challenges, being pushed to the far end of my comfort zone is where I like to be and that’s why I started running ultra-marathons. As the years have passed I’ve fallen in love with the serene outdoors being in my ancestors homelands high in the Jemez Mountains. Running in directions where my grandfather used to run, being able to understand Steve Gachupin stories of his training days. I rarely listen to music in my long runs and I enjoy the animals, the sounds of my surroundings and I’d like to know if a bear is chasing me. But really, feeling nature, unwinding from my week and being able to just run makes me feel alive.”
Click here for the Leadville Trail Marathon website: https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/run/trailmarathonheavyhalf/
Photo Credit: Cornell Magdalena, Peter Olson and Gail Romero
