Imperial Palace Run | Yuko Takeda, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care
2020.12.22
I have been involved in assisting with the operation of a support group for patients with hereditary tumors for over 20 years. Our main activities include publishing a newsletter several times a year and holding mini-gatherings, BBQs, and other events. This year, after our last gathering in January, we are about to end the year without being able to meet in person. A feature of this group is that many of its members are not only patients and their families but also healthcare professionals and other supporters. We work together, providing opportunities for information sharing through lectures and fostering interaction with relevant medical professionals.
In October, a physician from a national center, who is also a member of our group, suggested an "Imperial Palace Run" as an outdoor event for health promotion, since it was not feasible to hold seminars in enclosed spaces. We immediately confirmed the intentions of the board members and began preparing for the event to be held at the end of November. Just then, reports of a spreading infection, thought to be the third wave of COVID-19, emerged, and right before the event, there were discussions about postponing or canceling it. We had announced the event to members via our website and by mail, but since we had not taken RSVPs, it would have been difficult to ensure everyone was notified of a cancellation. Therefore, we decided to post a message on the website encouraging members "not to overexert themselves" and to "join us next time." We received emails from members who decided not to participate, with messages like, "I was looking forward to it, so it's a shame," "I'm still worried about the infection..." and "I definitely want to join next time."
At 9:00 a.m. on the day of the event, 13 participants gathered at the Sakuradamon Gate meeting point: two members who are patients, and 11 healthcare professionals, including other members. The six of us in the walking group, including myself, started a little earlier than the seven in the running group. However, at the point closest to Tokyo Station, the runners caught up to us, and we watched them dash briskly away.
At the suggestion of Member A, the walking group entered the East Garden of the Imperial Palace through the Otemon Gate and strolled through the gardens. There were very few people around, and we enjoyed a pleasant walk to the Kitahanebashimon Gate, admiring the variety of well-tended plants and trees. There were several unusual persimmon trees, some heavy with fruit, and the Japanese cornelian cherry trees (sanshuyu) had flower buds. Many plum trees were also planted, and it seemed the view would be spectacular when they blossom.
The Japanese cornelian cherry (sanshuyu), which blooms in the cold, has a floral meaning of "robustness," among others.
From "Garden Tree Encyclopedia Uekipedia (uekipedia.jp)"
Everyone completed the roughly 5 km loop, about 20,000 steps, and after a commemorative photo, we dispersed at 10:30 a.m. Although it was a short time, we were blessed with good weather, and one participating member commented, "Completing the walk gave me confidence!" The sense of openness outdoors and the refreshing feeling of moving our bodies proved to be a satisfying experience, especially for the healthcare professionals who have been leading constrained lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, with comments such as, "It was a great change of pace," "It's easy to strike up a conversation, even with people you're meeting for the first time. I really enjoyed it," and "There were even some real-world benefits that helped with my work."
Although vaccinations have finally begun overseas, the situation is such that it will still take a long time for the pandemic to end. I realized how important it is to have opportunities to free our cooped-up bodies and minds outdoors. With travel restrictions becoming necessary again, events like this one will have to be put on hold for a while, but I sincerely hope we can resume the "Imperial Palace Run" during the plum blossom viewing season.