Still Here— 24h Run
Still Here is a 24-hour run I (Clara, Fysikase owner) am doing to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention. This isn’t a race. It’s a reminder that life can feel heavy, that holding on isn’t always easy, and that being still here is something to be proud of. I’ve witnessed how deep the struggle can go, both in others and myself. And I know how hard it can be to keep moving when your mind is telling you to stop.
When: July 2, 2025
Where: Austin, TX
I decided to raise funds for this specific campaign because of how meaningful it is to me to still be here. As someone who has personally felt the temptation to unburden others with my life, and very deeply struggled to speak up for myself, I find it so meaningful to just talk about suicidal ideation. It’s uncomfortable to show outward signs of needing help if you’re the one who always “has it together” and people don’t feel the need to check on you. It’s not their fault— I was wearing a mask.
A little background; some of you can probably relate to heavily identifying with a sport. You grow up never feeling quite smart enough. Grades are good but there is always someone who did better. You find an athletic outlet that fulfills the empty space left over from your lack of intellectual talent. Maybe you win a few medals, get some accolades that inflate your ego just enough to make you feel this sense of false confidence. This sport becomes your identity.
Then tragedy enters the chat. You’re now in the beginning of your Odyssey.
This story outwardly looks different for all of us. And if you’re reading this post now, you or someone you know has experienced the pain that comes after the tragedy. The “lingering” as I call it. When self-isolation begins to rear its head and, on top of your current responsibilities (work, grad-school, sleep, friendships, family, religion) you are also plagued with “the lingering” effects. For me, it was PTSD that lead to frequent panic attacks. Every time I blinked I saw visual reminders and every time I closed my eyes longer than a blink I felt transported back.
To fill my shame void, I substituted with meaningless relationships, toxic food choices, avoiding conversations with loved ones, and driving around at night to find the best building in Miami to leap from.
It wasn’t until I met a very close friend in Beckley, West Virginia that I started to see a flicker of light at the end of this (going on 2 years at the time) overdue journey. I may have only known Stevie for 11 months before his passing, but the genuine love he showed me was as close as I ever felt to being seen. I started to fall in love all over again with the sport that I once had panic attacks from. I felt proud of myself. And for once, I felt like someone was proud of me.
Now, I like to believe Stevie is my guardian angel. I constantly hear his voice cheering me on when life gets tough.
So when I’m asked why I want to run for 24 hours— it isn’t just for me, a survivor. It’s for those who aren’t running with us any more, too.
About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Save Lives and Bring Hope to Those Affected by Suicide
AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by engaging in the following core strategies:
Funding scientific research
Educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention
Advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention
Supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide in our mission
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741-741.
