Training Log Archive: Nadim

St. Petersburg, RU. Malaya Magorskaya Ul. to the Admiralty, along Dvortstovaya Nab. & the Neva River, along The Field of Mars, a loop through the Summer Gardens, along Fontanka Nab. & Fontanka canal, to Pereulov to Naberezhnaya canal, to Bribedova to Gorovaya Ul. to Malaya Magorskaya Ul. A light snow fell on the warmest day we’ve experienced in Russia so far—0 C. Running in a park, a boy taking me for a native asked me a question that I couldn’t understand. All I could do was tell him the I didn’t understand. Later in the day, Peggy and I walked a similar route as we saw the Siege Museum—exhibits on the 900 day siege of the city where many starved or froze to death. After seeing the 125 gram ration of “bread” (sawdust and flour) that the people were once limited to, I’m sure I would not have made it. Later, for what will likely be many years, others did not mistake me for a native—I got stopped for document checks 2 times by the Militisya (police). Despite the cold weather, it’s a bit sad to leave.

St. Petersburg, RU. From Malaya Magorskaya Ul. to Dvorsovaya Nab. to Akademika Lebedeva (over the Neva River) to Sampsonievskiy Most, along the Neva and Petrovskaya Nab. to Kronverkskaya Nab. to Birzhevoy Most, past the Rostral Columns to Dvortsovy Most to Malay Maorskaya Ul. I ran this same route on the last trip here. Conditions were similar; -3.7 C, and slippery from a light snow that had mad the granite sidewalks tiring. The route passed the Admiralty, the Winterr Palace, the Cruiser Arora, Peter and Paul Fortress, the Military Museum and the Natural Museum. Nice.

St. Petersburg, RU. In the Petro Palace Hotel Fitness Room. I got back from the run and thought to meet Peggy who was aleady there. 15x3xeach station on a Univerrsal type machine--mostly upper body work. I declined the massage offered.

St. Petersburg, RU. Up and down the stairs to the Colonade on St. Isaic’s Cathedral. It being Friday, We later saw a bear on a leash, & w brides near The Bronze Horseman statue. There were other limo’s of bridal parties near the Winter Palace

Yelagin Ostrov, St. Petersburg, RU. Starting from Yelagin Palace, Pegy and I ran the perrimeter of the island on the carraige trails, the looped around the interior. Just getting there was some fun. We had to figure out how to use the metro system (tokens and colored lines). On our walk from the station to the palace we passed a busy amusement park with a large roller coaster that was operaiting. We thought the island (10 Rubles each or about 28 cents to get on) would be empty but there were lots of people who weren't a bit concerned about the -5 C temperatures. I guess the sun brought them out to slide about. Many had a sort of push sled where someone sits up front and a pusher stands one foot on a rail and one on the snow ala skateboard fashion. Others just used their skis or walked. People were taking a stage singing in the outdoors too. The park's many birch and pine trees were very picturesque. The western point reminded me of Haines Point back home; it provided a view west into the Gulf of Finlannd. Later in the evening, we had a nice Tandoori dinner.

St. Petersburg, RU. We left Petrazavodsk the same day we arrived by taking another night train back to St. Petersburg. This begins our waiting period for Max's passport. Not having slept in a regular bed for 3 nights kind of wiped us out. We did some touring, seeing the Russian Museum and then did some shopping for some kiddie snow pants. I was too wiped out to do a workout. 45 situps.

Petrazavdsk, RU. After shuttling between various bureaus for birth certificates and passport application, Peggy and I got to run around town. From Lennina Prospect to Gertsena Ul., to Krasnaja Ul. to Dzerzhinsogo Ul. to Volnaja Ul. to KIROVA Ul., north to the next street, then east toward the lake, along it to Lenina Prospect, up to Gagarina Pl. (the train station) then back down Lenina Prospect to the Hotel Severnaya at the intersection with Engelsa Ul. It was around -8 C with plenty of snow on the ground. We shuffled along amongst the many people out and about, doing their business. At the lake, we stopped a bit to see the many whimiscal snow and ice sculptures; all of wihch were very good and protected by armed guards.

45 Situps somewhere between St. Petersburg and Petrazavodsk, Russia. Peggy and I flew to Paris overrnight, and afterr a 3 hour layover, caught another flight to St. Petersburg. I harrdly slept on either of thhesee flights. We had 3 hours in a Russian apartment (adoption agency contact) where I slept and snored a bit, and then were on the road again--a night train to Petrazavodsk. It was pleasant and I was tired enough to sleep well.

From Rosedale Ave., Kentbury Rd. to the Old Georgetown Branch Trail to Woodmont Ave. to Cordell Ave. to Maple Ave to Rosedale Ave. 21 F. Just a short one before going on an adventure. Would have been fun to go to Georgia too.