I’m athletic but was never a runner.

When the invasion began, I started to run to soothe pain, away from it, and often with it.

I recalled being inspired to run the NYC Marathon last year while 8 months pregnant and watching winners glide over our street.

That June night I emailed over twenty charity organizations asking them to let me run for their team. All of them kindly responded that they were full and waitlisted me.

Despite having no spot I began to train on July 1st and piled on miles through Woodstock, Paris, Normandy, and all over Portugal. On July 28th I received an email from Robyn Hood Organization. I got in. Tears welled and flowed from my eyes.

If you ever read any running books, they all suggest to find motivation. Your WHY. How to transform difficult moments; when legs get heavy, sear, and seem not to move.

I gain strength to run every day from the people of Ukriane who fight on the front line, support behind the lines, defend my country, family, and the right to live free.

I run for them .

Robyn Hood is poverty fighting organization. They find, fund and create over 200 of the most effective programs, to help 1.8 million New Yorkers learn and earn their way out of poverty. Because their board of directors underwrites all operating costs, 100% of your donation goes directly to organizations helping New Yorkers in need and I am honored to run and raise money for them.