Q&A with Benjamin “Zeke” Schloegel

GU ATHLETE: Benjamin “Zeke” Schloegel
SPORT: Triathlon
BIRTHPLACE: Kansas City, Missouri, 1978
CURRENT RESIDENCE: Kansas City, Missouri
WEBSITE: www.benschloegel.com, www.enduracamps.com

Proudest athletic accomplishment?
My first Ironman, IM Wisconsin in 2002 I qualified for Hawaii and won my age group. A lot of fun days since but nothing is ever as sweet as your first.

Superstitions for training or competition?
Sushi and hot tea the night before a big race. Other than that I don’t buy into superstition. You’ve either trained hard enough and it is in the cards or you have to try again.

What characteristics do you most respect in your competitors?
Speed and being complete, well rounded athletes. I really respect pros like Heather Gollnick. She runs a household and family as well as being a world class Ironman athlete.

If you were not a pro athlete, what would you do professionally?
I’ve got the best gig in the world. I travel all over to races, and when I come home I serve the people of Kansas City, MO as a firefighter on Truck 8. Fire fighting helps keep racing in perspective; when things fall apart out there, I still have a grasp on reality. And when I have a big day, I still want to be the first guy doing the dishes when I get back home to the station. It can be tough to balance the two, but I hope that each one makes me better at the other.

When you were a kid, what did you dream of becoming when you grew up?
I wanted to be a professional indoor soccer player for the Kansas City Comets. I knew at a very young age that I was not destined for scholastic greatness.

Song title that best fits your personality/spirit?
Eye Of The Tiger.

If you were a flavor of GU, what would you be?
Fruity Pebbles.

Personal causes you’re involved in?
Johnson County Kids Aquathon/Triathlon, MDA and “boot blocking for Jerry’s Kids”.

Three things people don’t know about you?
I went to Culinary School to be a chef. I hold the 6 man toboggan record at suicide hill. I can hold my breath for 1 hour.