Lynna was never someone who enjoyed running. In fact, she avoided it altogether! That changed when her husband introduced her to obstacle racing. Spartan races were completely new to her, and her husband warned her about their extreme difficulty. These races are unique because they combine running with a wide range of obstacles, including climbing, jumping, lifting, and even crawling through mud.
But once Lynna set her mind to it, she was determined to finish. After taking five practice classes, she successfully completed the course. The experience left her craving another challenge, and that’s when she began running!
Lynna has previously run the New York City Half Marathon. “It was fun,” she said, but she had to stop just two miles into the race. After receiving appropriate care, she continued, but the blisters from her brand-new shoes were too painful to keep running. At the nine-mile mark, she walked the rest of the way. Despite training consistently, she hadn’t anticipated how much trouble her shoes would cause. Determined to try again and learn from her first experience, she signed up for this year’s New York City United Half Marathon.
Unfortunately, Lynna wasn’t selected in the lottery this year. She had especially hoped to participate because a close friend of hers would also be running the race. That’s when she discovered Answer the Call. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to run alongside her friend while also supporting a meaningful cause.
Originally from Brazil, Lynna recently became an American citizen and earned her Property & Casualty license to work as an insurance broker. After arriving in the United States with just one suitcase, she worked tirelessly to build a life for herself and has since found a community she considers family.
Music plays an important role during her runs. She plans to listen mainly to 300 Violin Orchestra, an EDM track blended with traditional orchestral elements. The beat helps her maintain a pace of about six miles per hour. She also mixes in Beyoncé and Bad Bunny, enjoying a wide variety of music to keep her moving.
Of course, she’s looking forward to the banana at the end of the race! After crossing the finish line, she says it “brings her back to life” and is easily what she looks forward to most—followed closely by a well-earned burger to finish the day.
To the families served by Answer the Call, Lynna shares this message: “I’m sorry you’re here because of what you’ve been through. Thank you to the family members who gave their lives in the line of duty. I will keep them in my mind as I run these 13.1 miles.”
We wish you the best of luck in the 2026 New York City United Half Marathon, Lynna!
Click here to support Lynna’s fundraising efforts!
Answer the Call’s 2026 Spring Intern, Robert Dewhurst, conducted this interview and wrote this blog post.
