41. Candace Gonzales: Miscarriage, Grief, Running to Heal, & Brown Joy

Candace Gonzales (she/her) is a partner, a friend, an ultrarunner, a connector, an advocate, and a writer. She is the Office Manager of the Brighton Regional Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. Her team represents indigent defendants accused of a crime in state court. The work she does is righteous as she helps support the fight for her clients, the people that many in society have turned their back on. Her team, which she calls the true gladiators, sees the humanity of people and gives them a voice. Candace has written several articles for Trail Sisters (Candace Gonzales, Author at Trail Sisters®) and Rising Hearts and is a Running with Purpose Team Member of @rising_hearts. She has run distances from 5ks to 50ks and her trail name is Tough Cookie. She has also been called the Running Poet. She runs in community with Trailtinos @trailtinos and Bprunco @bprunco. Candace is powerful voice, speaking up for diversity, representation and inclusion in the running community.

Candace shares about her miscarriage and the grief that flows in and out. She talks about the importance of normalizing this experience and keeping it from being a taboo topic. "Miscarriage is not your fault and you are not alone." Candace is vulnerable about how a lot of her writing is about grief and how running, during her grieving, was the only thing that was normal for her. Running helped her heal.
She shares how she experiences gratitude consistently on her run and she also uses her runs for advocacy and fundraising. Candace is a connector and wants to support people having access to trails and feel welcomed! She is the madrina of Trailtinos and is such a leader and sharer of positive energy. Representation is important and she wants to write a kids book that is representative, cultural-based and nature-based. Go Candace!! When she races, she runs as advocacy and to bring awareness.
#ripplecreator

Candace lives on Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ and Tséstho’e land.

Book recommendation:
So Far From God by Ana Castillo

Check out Candace on IG @candacegonzo and FB @CandaceGonzoStock
Find her articles @rising_hearts and @trailsisters

When in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, check out Bprunco  www.berkeleyparkrunningcompany.com 
"It's not just about running for them. It's about community." - Candace