On the Road｜EP34: From Knee Replacement to Boston — Caryn Honig on 50 States, Poppy’s Run, and Suicide Prevention

🌐 Visit our website: https://ontheroad-podcast.vercel.app/Join our community, recommend a guest, and explore previous episodes.Please sign up for Poppy's Run:  www.poppysrunforlife.com Podcast report: https://womensrunningstories.com/caryn-honig-transforming-trauma-to-purpose-through-runningArticle Report: https://www.theleadernews.com/community/finding-purpose-comfort-and-a-spirit-of-advocacy-through-poppy-s-run-for-life/article_b7fff4ab-3074-4558-a759-eb167479b025.htmlCaryn Honig is a longtime marathon runner, university professor, race director, and suicide-prevention advocate. In this episode, she shares how running helped her process grief, recover from knee replacement, return to the Boston Marathon, and pursue her goal of completing a marathon in all 50 states.After losing her father to suicide, Caryn founded Poppy’s Run for Life to promote suicide prevention, mental-health awareness, and community connection. With support from Houston runners, volunteers, sponsors, and race professionals, the first event raised $60,000 for suicide-prevention organizations.Poppy’s Run began with a 1K and 5K before expanding to include a 10K. A smaller event was later organized at UC Berkeley, and Caryn hopes to bring the race to Colorado and other major cities.Becoming a race director changed how Caryn views running events. Permits, timing, shirts, awards, water stations, portable toilets, food, sound systems, volunteers, and course logistics must all come together before runners reach the starting line. Her advice: remember the mission, support smaller races, and show up even when everything is not perfect.After years of knee pain and bone-on-bone deterioration, Caryn underwent a partial knee replacement. She walked on the day of surgery, committed to physical therapy, and completed her first post-surgery 5K about three months later.She later returned to the Boston Marathon with 26 names written on her arm—one for each mile, honoring people who had died by suicide. Her grandfather, “Poppy,” represented the first mile, and mile 26.2 honored her father. When the race became difficult, she looked at each name and remembered the person’s story.Caryn’s central message is that no one is a burden and every life is precious. Running can support mental health through movement, routine, friendship, and community, but it should not replace professional care. She also discusses the fine line between healthy exercise and compulsive behavior for people recovering from eating disorders.One phrase defines the episode: “Show up.” You do not have to run to help. You can volunteer, donate, share information, cheer, offer transportation, or simply ask someone if they are okay.Caryn recalls approaching a student who appeared angry and withdrawn. The student revealed that she was homeless and living in her car. That conversation helped connect her with housing and financial support.Caryn has completed marathons in about 25 states and hopes to finish all 50 around 2027. She credits her husband for helping manage travel, household responsibilities, race logistics, and the Poppy’s Run board.She also encourages people to say “died by suicide” instead of “committed suicide,” helping reduce language associated with crime, shame, and moral judgment.#CarynHonig #PoppiesRunForLife #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealthAwareness #BostonMarathon #KneeReplacement #50StateMarathon #MarathonComeback #RunningCommunity #CharityRace #RaceDirector #GriefAndHealing #RunningForMentalHealth #ShowUp #DiedBySuicide #988LifelineContent note: This episode discusses suicide, grief, depression, eating disorders, and mental-health crises. In the United States, call or text 988 for crisis support. Contact emergency services if someone is in immediate danger. Caryn’s knee-replacement experience is personal and is not medical advice.