From Pain to Positivity: Blue Skies, Sanctuary Runners and the NHS - Burgess parkrun #601 - 14/02/26

The sun was shining at Burgess parkrun. Photo credit Tom Leech.

The consultant invited me into the consultation room and asked if I wanted the good news or the bad news. The good news was that the X-ray showed no fracture in my right shoulder. The bad news was that I have a frozen shoulder, and it would take time to recover. 

My shoulder felt as angry as this picture. Photo credit; https://perthshoulderphysio.com.au/frozen-shoulder/what-is-frozen-shoulder/

Earlier that day, I had woken up in so much pain in my shoulder that I couldn’t go on my planned parkrun tourism at Whitecliffe Lake parkrun as a treat for my birthday week. Instead, I stayed home with my daughter, while my wife represented us at Whitecliffe Lake.

Shveta made it to Whitecliffe Lake parkrun with Gemma and Rebecca. She said it was beautiful. Photo credit Gemma.

However, at 8 o’clock, my daughter asked, “Can I see parkrun aunties today?” With the ibuprofen starting to kick in, I wriggled into my running gear and took the quick walk to the start line of my local event, Burgess parkrun. I’d texted our good friend, event director for Kennington junior parkrun and parkrun auntie, Sylvie, who met me at the start and took my daughter around in the buggy, letting me jog at a more leisurely pace. 

Before the event commenced, I got talking to Kate, who was visiting from Brighton. Kate explained that two busloads had travelled up from Brighton for a bit of parkrun tourism before heading to a table tennis tournament in London. Her running club is Sanctuary runners, where running brings communities together. This includes migrants, refugees and care-experienced people. I realised that I’d met other members of this running group when I attended Preston Park parkrun in Brighton last year, making this a full-circle moment.  I was able to share with Kate how the founder of parkrun, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, is care-experienced (you can read my review of his book by clicking here). His experiences of being in care is central to why he created parkrun to be free and inclusive for all. 

The weather was gorgeous, the blue skies a huge respite from all the grey and rain we’ve been experiencing. Speaking to Kate, learning more about Sanctuary runners, and seeing friends gave me the perfect birthday present, lifting my spirits and distracting me from the frozen shoulder pain.

Parkrun feels like a magnet for good vibes, which the 684 participants and 34 volunteer team gave off in abundance. I can only imagine how good the vibes were at Valentine parkrun, with a record attendance of 2,333 participants. #unbelievable

With some of the Sanctuary runners. Photo credit Tim Holtan.

After arriving home, I rested, but later that evening, the pain resurfaced with new ferocity. My wife encouraged me to call 111. After their assessment, they advised me to get to the acute pain centre in King's College Hospital. I arrived before the Saturday night shenanigans. Seen by the excellent NHS staff, I was reminded why the NHS remains a jewel in the crown of our nation.   

I’m following both the doctor’s treatment plan and my wife’s sensible advice to rest and recover.

I’m hoping to resume some parkrun tourism next Saturday, at Holywell King George V Playing Fields parkrun to get my LonDone status back and I’m sure I’ll find more amazing people to inspire me like Kate and the runners from Sanctuary runners.  

Happy running, walking, and volunteering. 

www.horizons.uk

You can read about how parkrun was created by the founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, a care leaver, in his book ‘One Small Step’, The Definitive Account of how a run became a Global Movement by clicking here.

You can watch an excellent video which explains what Sanctuary runners do by clicking here.

You can learn about how Coopah Refugee Run Club creates localised running communities for refugees and asylum seekers by clicking here

Nisha enjoying herself with parkrun aunty Sylvie. Photo credit Sylvie.