The fact that this isn't her first time running for 24 hours straight on a treadmill should already tell you a lot about Emily. This in fact is her second time around. The first time she accomplished such a feat was about two years ago. She ran for The Soujourner Center in Phoenix, AZ to raise funds and awareness for the thousands of women and children who are affected by domestic violence. She is probably one of the most physically fit individuals you might ever meet but will be the last person to brag about her amazing ability of endurance running.
From what we understand, Emily made the last 100 miler look easy. Here is a glimpse from that day...
"Em was all about the run; all about The Sojourner Center. She was doing all she could to raise funds and awareness for them. She is the most physically fit person I have personally met and known. She made that 100 mile run look like an easy downhill 10K. But aside from the physicality, her determination, focus, and dedication, her heart was what was so amazing. Running is hard. Running at the 16 hour mark is crazy and ridiculously difficult. Running at the 22.5 hour mark causes one to think "Is this really happening right now? This isn't real." Though in all of those moments, at all of her check points, her smile never left her. Her spirits were up and so was her energy. She talked and joked with everyone that came up to chat. Complete strangers were in disbelief and couldn't get over the fact that she'd already been running for that amount of time. To have the opportunity to witness something like that first hand is awesome! You could feel the love and the amazing energy that is EMZ and I will be forever grateful for the experience of being there."
We all know how hard running is and yet she is again preparing for an encore performance for Effect International and their efforts of providing a quality education to the children of India. We think it's amazing, superhuman, and selfless to share your talents in such a way that will benefit the lives of others. She has a wonderful family. The love and support that is shown by them provides a glimpse of their solid bond and the characteristics that Emily so openly displays in her service to help others. They are always ready to do what is necessary to help Emily succeed. Could we expect anything less?
We don't imagine that this time around will be any less amazing and an awe-inspiring experience for everyone who will be in attendance. To accomplish such a big task takes time, patience, and sacrifice. Aside from the physical requirements and the toll this will take on Emily's body, there are also the intangibles that one must have internally to build up the motivation, the determination, the drive, and the reason to push through when it gets tough. We all have our reasons for doing certain things but by her actions, Emily shows in this case that the intangible and powerful driver that pushes her is love. Love is a motivator of action.
We applaud you for your display of selflessness and your willingness to support such a worthy cause. We are glad that we can be a part of it. We look forward to cheering you on and experiencing it first hand. You are IKUNA. #iamikuna
Overcome. Achieve. Victory. IKUNA
Purchase a limited edition RUN EMZ T-shirt to support Effect International. A portion of all purchases made between now and 9/12/13 via our site will be donated to Effect to help reach their goal of building 2 new schools in India. Use discount code IKUNAISLOVE at checkout to receive free shipping. Read more about it here.
IKUNA will be updating this event through social media. Make sure you are following @ikunaapparel and @runemz on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to receive updates and to be eligible for the fun giveaways that night.
Hi Stella,
Hope all is well.
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your comments with us. Your comments are not uncommon and I know first hand about the struggles that inner city schools face. Less than a year ago we started IKUNA with a focus on pushing education and a message that helped inspire and motivate others to be better in whatever they do. My experience as a youth combined with the opportunities that are available to those who seek them have helped me better understand what is necessary to succeed in such a competitive market place.
Though I understand your frustration with our current education system, there are other causes outside of what we are doing here that contribute to the schools who are broke and falling apart. We were there every step of the way and once the fundraising window has closed will ask for an accounting.
I am glad that you are contributing your time to those within our communities. It sounds like you are a teacher and a coach. That is awesome! My grandmother was a 2nd grade teacher for over 40 years before she retired. I have many friends who are teachers and they are always quick to say that they are privileged to help build up our youth. I have also spent countless hours helping youth sports in our area and donate several hours of my time each week to youth activities and mentoring.
Lastly, we appreciate your comments and always welcome them. However, it is unfair for you to assume what RUNEMZ does and what she does not do and for what reasons. She just helped raise over $20K in that short period of time for those schools to be built. She’s been blessed with the talent of running and she is using it to help the best she knows how. We all have special gifts and hopefully we can continue to use those to bless the lives of others. We applaud her and all of those who contribute selflessly to our communities. We look forward to supporting RUNEMZ when she is ready to do so again.
If you have any other questions about who we are and what we do, feel free to drop us a line at wearikuna@ikunapparel.com. We are always ready to help.
Take care,
I have worked in public education in the US for almost 40 years. I understand kind of wanting to help others in other countries but really have you been to some inner city schools lately? I just wish people who are running for good causes would keep it in the US as many of our schools are broke and falling apart. I have to think it ends up being all about the runner in the end because really, do we really know how much $ actually gets to India and to whom? Are you going to go there and find out what the money you raised bought? At least I can say I have made a real contribution to the children in the US by getting up, running my measly mileage and then going to WORK all day. (And then actually coaching after school so that kids get exercise and learn to love to run if they choose.) She wouldn’t be running 80 miles in training a day if she actually HAD to go to work…