In this Still I Run ambassador spotlight, we feature Kym Klass. To follow along with her running and mental health journey, you can catch her on Instagram @kymklass.
In a few sentences, tell us about yourself
I’m a Christian, “mama” to my teenage daughter, and a dog mom to Sadie. I work in communications, am a writer, runner, and a mental health advocate, seeking affordable mental health care for others and striving to show that through conversation, we can start chipping away at the stigma surrounding mental health.
Why are you passionate about running for mental health?
I run for my sister, who we lost to suicide in October 2015. I run to bring awareness to mental health, and for my own depression that I fought hard about a year and a half after my sister died, and which brought about suicidal ideations. Depression still surfaces at its leisure today.
Do you have a running mantra?
Don’t quit.
Where is your favorite place to run?
Wherever I am. On trails with friends. On the road. Alongside the beach. And in Texas, whenever I visit “home,” I also like some back roads, country roads, and the Riverwalk.
What are you most proud of?
Running: returning to the roads after I was sexually assaulted while running in 1991. It took 14 years to run again; the fear was that deep. Non-running related: my daughter.
Favorite running moment you’d love to re-live?
My first half marathon, and meeting my sub 2-hour goal by less than a minute. I had to dig deep the last two miles to make my goal, and couldn’t have been happier to cross that finish line!
What’s your favorite way to recover after a run?
Comfy yoga pants. Cuddling with my dog. Binge-watching something ridiculous on Netflix.
What’s one fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I attended 5 high schools due to my father’s military career. Wouldn’t change a single day.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Meatballs. Maybe because I’m eating them right now? Sushi. Thai. Just one??
Is a hot dog a sandwich?
Nooooo. That’s insulting sandwiches.
