14 Comments

Wonderful recap. It would be impossible (and unreadable) to recount the play-by-play. As you mentioned, these things are about so much more than the race itself. I'm glad you settled on community. In the end, it's the connection that matters. Congratulations.

Expand full comment

Thank you, John. I appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment! Just as you say, it's the connection that matters--and it's always nice too, as a writer, to know when something you've written has resonated with someone somewhere. :)

Expand full comment

Love all of this Yitka!!! So true 💙And can’t wait to read your memoir whenever that may be!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much for the kind words, Ali!

Expand full comment

I love this! Your stories also give me a "refreshed appreciation for the magic of community" <3

Expand full comment

Aww, thank you for saying that, Liz!

Expand full comment

I love this & I’ll link to it in my next post!

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing, Sarah. And again, for being such an indispensable part of my entire Hardrock experience this year, from the start of my journey to the very end. Aaand I'm also overdue in congratulating you on your Grand to Grand finish, but rest assured I've been reading all your stories and posts, and am so glad you had the experience you did! Can't wait to read the full story one day in your book. :)

Expand full comment

It was such a pleasure to read this, Yitka! What a summer, what a race! Congrats on your finish—I'm so happy for you (for the race, sure, but also the whole experience leading up to the race, too.) How cool that Sahale had the chance to live in such a beautiful location with her mom for a month. And also, hats off to you for balancing everything while living out of a tent!

Expand full comment

Aww, thank you so much, Jade! Honestly, the tent part was one of the easiest aspects of it all. (I thought moving into a hotel for the last few days before the race would be a luxury, but it turns out that toddlers get a lot crankier indoors than outside!) Guess I'm just a big ol' toddler myself, too.

Expand full comment

So so beautifully written!! And still I’m wanting more stories, all the stories of micro-moments of connection and community and the power of women coming together to support each other. So grateful to know you and to be in this world and sport with you, Yitka.❤️

Expand full comment

Oh Caitlin, thank you for the exceptionally kind words! You know I've always got pockets full of stories to share with you. I'm grateful to be in this world and sport with you, too!

Expand full comment

Congratulations on your race!!

Expand full comment

Thank you so much!

Expand full comment