From April 19th, 4 days after the bombing:

It’s been a dark several days for our nation and the world (45 countries were represented on Tuesday). My heart is full of sadness for the people who were injured and lost their lives, and for those that were impacted by the bombings. My heart is hurt for the runners that didn’t get to fulfill their wildest running dreams, for the runners that finished their greatest race but who’s glory was replaced with horror, and finally for the greatest, most legendary race in the world. The finish line of a marathon represents so much more than runners simply finishing a race. It represents achievement, the ability to overcome any/many obstacles, dedication, strength, and the overwhelming power of the human spirit. These things carry over into everyday life and inspire and empower so many, even those on the fringe. Evil has no place at a finish line, or anywhere.

This broken heart knows that time will heal the wounds. We will never forget, but the heaviness of Monday will lift as we move forward and bring good into this world. It feels good to read the stories and hear the accounts of the helpers and the first responders. Their reunions with those they saved. There is so much good. So, so much good.

We will rise above…

Peace Love Run Boston,
Caryn

It’s time for a little nappy nap in the MRI machine. This time my hip joint will be injected with contrast to see if and how badly my joint cartilage is chewed up. Hopefully not at all?!?!

The final results came in from MRI #1 and were not favorable. Possible tears in the glute medius and minimus tendons at their points of insertion (attachment to the hip), but that was the good part, little did I know. The worse part is I have a bony impingement, called a “cam” impingement, that could be the cause of all of this. The impingement could be irritating my hip joint and its cartilage due to unnecessary friction. I’m going to leave it at that for now because the thought of FAI Impingement (femoroacetabular) doesn’t sit well with me right now.

I meet with my doc on Monday to go over my films and we’ll go from there. Until then…

C.

I’ll see what final results are and go from there.

Sounds like more ice and more Advil to me! (And rest).

Do your stretching and strengthening, people! I am not weak, but majorly imbalanced. Not good.

C.

A few posts ago, I mentioned BIG NEWS. And here it is. Momma took a new job. I finally headed back to work after 9 of the loveliest, luckiest years as a stay at home mom/domestic goddess. I still feel like a stay at home mom, just one with a job. Simple change, right?! Now I just work 6 hours a day and have 6 hours less to work at home. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to do something that I have an extreme passion for. (And tons and tons and miles and miles of experience doing). It’s an unbelievable feeling to want to go to work every day, to be excited about it, to truly enjoy the people that you work with, and work with them as a team. And here is my Dream Job:

I am the new Volunteer Coordinator! (I coordinate volunteers, I don’t volunteer as a coordinator) So far, I’m about one month in, LOVE IT, and am adjusting nicely to the major changes it has on our lives here at home. Day to day as the kids see it, there’s essentially no change: I drop them off, I pick them up, I coach Girls on the Run, I shuffle them to their jazz and soccer and piano. Summers will definitely be different, however. As I see it, HUGE day to day change… No time for 3-4 grocery trips per week (plan ahead!), no time for Target (I miss Target!), and late nights of laundry, dishes, and pre-packing lunches because I refuse to get behind. Those things hardly cast a shadow on the big, sunny position I have with an organization that I love! I’d like to declare myself as an Atlanta Track Club “Lifer.” I want to work there and be a part of it forever! Can you imagine? Me? Working in a running organization? Perfection. Our organization’s mission? “To inspire and engage the community to health and fitness through running.” I’ve been living that way for years, and now I get to really be a part.

And onto my soapbox I go: If you’re a runner who participates in races, it’s important to give back to the sport you love. VOLUNTEER! It’s fun, it’s easy, and it makes you feel good. I volunteered for a few years at ATC before I took this job and it was always a very rewarding experience. Give back to your sport. It doesn’t take much! If you are local, then give me a shout. Check out our upcoming events and let me know what race fits your schedule. It’s only a commitment of a few hours and I guarantee you’ll want more!

If you’re not ready to volunteer, then do one small thing: when you are racing, never miss an opportunity to thank a volunteer. They are the key component to all that happens on race day and even before. Without them, the show would not go on. Be an over-achieving volunteer thank’er. Make that your new mission.

http://www.atlantatrackclub.org

Gotta Run,

C.

I have a scale – on one side is the glory of Boston, which is rich in history and tradition as a race and in my life. It would fulfill my long term goal of 7th in a row, coupled with possibly months of recovery as a result…. Who knows? I have no crystal ball. One day, one run, one medal, one helluva recovery. On the other side of the scale is no medal. No streak. No Hopkinton. No Lisa, my Boston buddy. No traditions, rituals, Anna’s Taqueria, and Heartbreak Hill. But a recovery that I’m already 3 1/2 weeks into, and I suppose a disappointment that won’t last forever. And spring running. And summer running. Running running running. (And cross training!)

I think I already know what I’m going to do, but I will refrain on making a decision until I have the MRI and one more recovery day under my belt and one more meeting with my sports chiro and/or MD. I am a runner who loves to run more than anything. It’s as important to me as the air I breathe. It’s as much a part of me as my arms, legs, spirit. It’s in my core, my DNA, I was born to do it. I want to run Boston so bad. But… I think as I get older and am not chasing glory in particular, like I might have been a decade ago, I’m finally learning that it’s not just a race I want. It’s the simple ability to run daily (at length!) that has emerged as most important. That and my future health.

When I was running the Georgia Marathon, I had sort of an epiphany of sorts. Beforehand, I had thought that I should start running less marathons and scale back for longevity, which is true. But… As I was at mile 22, I was literally smiling and kind of hurting and sort of pushing to see if i could pass more ladies, and thought to myself, “I love this distance. It is me. It is mine!” I pretty easily won my age group and came in 15th place for women, and had a blast, other than worrying about my hip area. I don’t want to jeopardize that future.

It doesn’t all add up, what I’m saying…. I understand that. I want marathons; I think I should scale back; I want a Boston medal; I don’t think I should go; I want to run forever, etc. It’s pretty complicated, the brain of a Type A Marathon runner. Or maybe it’s not. Maybe it’s more me turning away from the reality that’s right in front of me.

Ugh. We’ll see. At least my feelings today are documented, because tomorrow, I might feel completely the opposite. I swing like a pendulum, which is super annoying come decision time and to anyone that knows me.

Thanks to all my friends who know what’s going on and have been checking in with me. I’ve kept in on the DL because I can’t hardly stand it and am in partial denial. If I don’t go, I’ll have to pretend that weekend isn’t happening up there and it’s business as usual in Boston. That is, until race day when I’d love to see Kara Goucher and Shalane go head to head for the hopeful overall win. I’ll be rooting a tiny bit more for Kara, but think Shalane will beat her unless Kara’s stars and moons align.

That’s all I can take for now. Peace out peeps and keep yourselves healthy. Heed my advice: do your stretching, do your foam rolling, do your therapies when you least think you need them. Avoid this mess that I’m in!

Better publish before I delete.

Gotta run,
Caryn

….only looks of disbelief and gaspy sounds. Yes, they are that pink.

Finally got some new kicks and I think they’re doing the trick. I stopped logging miles for a while (because I was being fussy/downtrodden about my injuries) and wore my last pair through two marathon training sessions (NYC and GA). I’ve been noticing majorly achy knees lately which has been scaring me. I mean, I’m “old,” but I’m not old yet. I call it old lady knees. I’ve been feeling old lady knees, a wake up call no matter what. Anywho, 9 miles today in them, including Yasso 9×800′s that went surprisingly great, and I feel perfect! I would have had old lady knees in my old ones for sure. Logging my miles again on paper! Keep track, people, and remember to change your shoes. Your body will let you know if you forget!

Oh, and those new pink shoes? To be used when “chicking” dudes!
Peace out, sistas!
C.

P.S. Thanks West Stride!!! Shop Local!

Check this out:

This picture absolutely does not do this justice. The children have brought every pillow form every corner of our house, and have piled them up into a gigantic “Fun Pile.” Pillow Pile. And as I type they continue to gather blankets and more pillows. They are certainly old enough to clean up after themselves, and they will, but?? They they never want to. The ending to this “fun” is typically nightmarish.

In the meantime I’ll enjoy a moment while they enjoy theirs. Happy sounds make me happy.

Oh, and the 22-miler went great! I chose a hilly, hilly route to prep me for GA and Boston, two hilly courses. And best of all, I kept it at an easy training pace of just under 9:00, so I should recover quickly. I already feel fine from the neck down, but my head feels like it exerted today. (Typical)

Here’s the progress they’ve made… Stuffed animals and more pillows added:

Wish us luck on the clean-up!

Caryn

I have been on it, off it, on it, off it…. For a variety of “niggles” and more serious things that have benched me from time periods ranging from days to weeks, to even months.

Most recently (last week), I was “on” the list and had to bench myself for the Thrill in the Hills Half Marathon Trail Race this past weekend. How bummed was I? Pretty bummed. But…. I’ve got my eyes on the prize, which are super important to me, and include:

-7th in a row GA Marathon on St. Patty’s Day. Currently an official “Streaker” and gotta keep the streak alive!
-7th in a row Boston Marathon, 8th total, gotta keep that streak alive as well.

These are the races I love love love and cannot jeopardize… To be sidelined for those would be nothing short of devastational for me.

The latest and greatest was a plantar fascial-area threat in my “good” foot that totally freaked me out. (1.5 years ago, I had my right foot injury that took me out completely for months, and took over a year to recover from.) I believe this left foot niggle materialized from running 5 trail miles in my innov8 trail shoes which lack support, followed by a second 5 mile loop in my good trainers. Felt nothing on the run, but problems developed on my next two attempts at running at which point I shut it down quickly. Like, after-100-yards-quickly.

I have been niggle-ridden for the last several years and it’s probably due to a running problem. Problem being: I push too hard on all my runs. A little too much “quality” and not enough EZ runs. I love to push, and it’s simply a problem. Adrenaline junkie, I suppose. I have a 22-miler tomorrow or Friday. My goal is to go SLOW. Unlike the 18 miles I did a few weeks ago at 7:42. That’s way too close to marathon pace. Stupid mistake. So for my 22: my goal is 8:45 or SLOWER.

The wisdom that I could pass along through all these niggles over my running life is that if you are 34 and up, and you get a weird niggle, something unfamiliar and worrisome, then JUST REST; DON’T TEST. Give it 2-3 days of rest/ice, and try again. If you still feel it, do yourself the favor and rest 2-3 more, or until the niggle completely disappears. Running though the unfamiliar almost always leads to extended injury timeout. And let’s face it, no one likes to be in timeout!!!

On a super-positive note, I HAVE NEWS. Life-changing, awesome news. Something I’ve dreamt about! I’ll be posting about it at the end of the week. Stay tuned…

Outta Timeout,
Caryn

Today I tried channeling someone different.  I channeled someone new today and was actually quite surprised by how powerful it was….   I challenge you to try channeling this special someone, too.  Just follow these steps:

1.  Put your arms in the air like you’re about to do a shoulder press.

2.  Point your thumbs inward towards your head.

3. From the elbow, move your forearms in and out and in and out…

I want you to try channeling YOURSELF.

Every single one of us has overcome some kind of adversity in our lives, big or small.  Think of those moments when you overcame, you didn’t give up on yourself, and draw strength from it, from within. It’s all right there, waiting for you.

If you’re a Mom:  You are strong and you are brave for leading your ducklings through this crazy life.

If you’re a Dad: You are a superhero with an invisible cape.

If you’re a Girl: You. Are. On. FIRE! Fiyaaaa!!!!

If you’re a Guy: There’s a rock star within you.

If you’re Married: You are a warrior in the name of love.

If you’re Single:  You are a brave soul for walking this path and know you are not alone.

If you’re a friend: You are cherished.  You give and you take and you make life worth living!

Pull your strength from the things you are and the things you’ve overcome. 

I’ve done some pretty crazy (read:stupid) things in my running career.  I’m not really sure how to classify some of my feats… Was is the ability to push through crazy pain? Running myself to what felt like a near-death experience? Crashing through a self-imposed barrier? Was it all in the name of stupidity?  I don’t know, but I can look back and be proud of the times I handled myself when the going got tough.  I have never, ever given up on myself.

Don’t ever give up on yourself.  And channel YOU next time you need strength.

“Channeling Caryn Lamphier,” I said to myself on my 18-mile run today. And by golly it worked.

Gotta Run,

Caryn

4 of us are in this photo. Lava Ladies;)

My friend Jen has recently turned the big 4-0, and we are going on a trip. . All-inclusive Barcelo Bavaro Beach in Dominican Republic. We are leaving first thing in the morning and coming home Monday: 4 nights, 5 days away. I’ve only travelled internationally once since child birth. And like that trip, I am going off-grid. No phone calls, no emails, no texts (unless I can figure out free wifi or iMessaging for free). I am going to miss my hubby and kids like crazy, but I think we’ll all be ok without the communication. Weird, but ok. They already know I’ll be having fun and essentially what I’m doing, and I know what they’ll be up to, too. They’ve got some fun things planned and I think the “newness” of not having mom around is sort of exciting for them, too! An adventure! .

We are all set for perfect weather and great times. I have set the hubby up with an empty laundry room, full pantry and fridge, 4 dinner options, and (gasp!!!)…. Lunchables…. (Ugh.) I think they are going to be just fine.

Let the good times roll! Photos to follow!

Gotta fly,
Caryn