Candace Gale was born into a family of runners. On her father’s side, everyone ran – they were high school standouts who went on to compete in college. It was just expected that she would follow in their footsteps. “I started at 6 years old,” Candace says. “By eighth grade, I was already in varsity.” She ran through high school and for two years in college, focusing mainly on shorter distances like 5Ks and 10Ks. Little did Candace know that she would find freedom on the trail as an adult and rekindle her love for running in a new way.Â
The Ultra Discovery
Shortly after an incredible effort at the Moab 240-mile endurance run in Utah, Candace was hit by a car. Although she survived the T-bone collision, she waits in anticipation to do the thing she loves again: running. For Candace, running wasn’t always this way.
Something wasn’t quite right. The pressure of competitive running weighed heavily on her. “It was kind of lonely because everybody was competing with each other. I didn’t like that – it was too much pressure for me.”
First Marathon and Ultra
Everything changed during COVID when Candace attempted her first marathon virtually. Though it took her “forever” to finish those 26.2 miles alone, something clicked. “I think I had a little light bulb telling me I can do ultras.”
Her first ultramarathon was a 6-hour race on Navajo land where she covered 35 miles. The experience was transformative. “It feels like I can run freely as myself. I don’t have to run against the clock or with coaches or fast times. It just feels like I was truly me.”
The Trail Home
For Candace, trail running feels natural – it’s in her blood and her homeland. “On the reservation, that’s how our trails look. We don’t have roads, we don’t have streets. I live in a real rural area, so the majority of it’s just dirt trails.”
She runs these trails with her dogs, finding peace in the solitude. “My mind just goes blank and I focus on the trails and my breath. It’s just a wonderful feeling.”
Culture and Running Intertwined
In Navajo culture, running isn’t just exercise – it’s spiritual practice. “We were told to get up early and go run towards the east, towards the sunrise, so we can pray to the gods, get our early morning blessing,” Candace explains. “Running ties with the Navajo culture 100%. If you’re a runner, you’re also Navajo diné, because that ties you back to home, and home is everything.”
The trails themselves carry cultural significance. Certain sights hold meaning – a fox means good luck, while spotting a coyote or rattlesnake is considered bad luck. When these omens appear, runners must respect them, sometimes turning back to find another path.
Coming Full Circle
As a young person, Candace admits she didn’t fully embrace either running or her heritage. “I didn’t like running and I didn’t really fully accept my culture,” she reflects. But ultrarunning helped her connect with both in a deeper way.
“Now with ultras, I can do as I want. I’m experiencing more about my culture and learning more about my language. I like how beautiful our culture is,” she says. “Ultra was a great part of that. It allowed me to understand more about my language, my culture, and I like that.”
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Finding Her Community
The ultra community has become another source of belonging for Candace. Unlike the competitive atmosphere of road racing, she found ultrarunners to be supportive and encouraging. “I just couldn’t believe how blown away I was when I got into the ultra community – they gave you compliments, they gave you tips. It’s so different from the shorter distance community.”
Today, Candace works at a hospital. Her work reminds her of the challenges her community faces, including high rates of diabetes and other health issues. Through her running, she embodies a connection to both traditional ways and modern health, finding her own path forward.
A Strong Navajo Woman
“It makes me who I am,” she says of running. “It helps me balance myself inside. Now I understand who I am culturally, Navajo inside. It truly makes me feel I’m proud to be who I am and a strong Navajo woman.”
Candace uses her rekindled passion to seek bigger challenges, such as an attempt at the Moab 240 in 2024. Although she DNFed (Did Not Finish) the event, Candace went over 100 miles for the first time, breaking new barriers. She has truly found freedom on the trail. Although Candace is on the road to recovery, there are many big things to come for the strong Navajo woman.Â
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