Well, it took three years, but I've finally secured a way to mitigate the usual barrage of questions I receive when the topic of marathoning comes up: It's how many miles? Why would you run that far voluntarily? Are you crazy? The list goes on.

True, I may be crazy. But this year I have a reason for running to offer the sane. I will be raising money for the New York Road Runners Team for Kids. Every year, Team for Kids raises millions of dollars through the efforts of so-called "crazy" marathon runners. Generous donations to the organization benefit over 50,000 children in 200 schools and community centers in New York City, across the country, and in impoverished areas of South Africa. Money raised implements fitness and nutrition programs where they would otherwise be unavailable in an effort to thwart childhood obesity and build confidence, self-esteem, and mental and physical strength in the children that will be tomorrow's adults.

In 2008, I have set a goal of raising $2,500 for Team for Kids. My fundraising efforts will culminate on November 2 at the ING New York City Marathon. It will be my third marathon, and I trust that working with Team for Kids will make it the most rewarding one yet. I have committed to months of training for this goal, but I will not be able to fulfill it alone. I need the help of friends and family, who through generous donations can help me reach my fundraising goal, and whose unwavering support will be carried with me across the finish line after running 26.2 miles. It is my fervent hope that the fruits of our fundraising labor will instill in the children benefiting from Team for Kids the passion and purpose that I have found in running. Perhaps one day they will draw on the skills and experiences they will learn through fitness programs paid for through Team for Kids in order to raise money to secure the health and happiness of the generation behind them.

All donations, no matter how small, will be deeply appreciated by the Team for Kids Foundation. Please help me meet my goal by passing on the word to friends and family.