Reaching out and exposing yourself to new experiences like I did in St. Petersburg, Russia is a valuable way to appreciate our world and travel is a splendid lever for grabbing these encounters. My path had combined running with travel, with the pair proving capable of generating serious synergy. For better or worse, however, this combination was making it difficult to get off the hamster wheel of long distance running.
Experiencing the Chicago Marathon taught me you had to “qualify” to participate in the Boston Marathon. I ran Chicago with my stepson Eric, who is a real sports nut and possesses vast knowledge around all things athletic. Relaxing in our hotel room after the race, Eric informed me that his finishing time would permit him to run Boston — if he were an 85-year old woman. Always striving to be a supportive parent, I counseled him to “be patient and get a sex change”.
Flash forward a bit and I turn fifty-five. On this occasion Eric informed qualifying time for Boston as a male in the 55-60 age group was 3:40. Even though time is not on my side, the threshold was not much of a stretch from the 3:43 I ran in Iceland a little over a year ago. In the same way that missing the four hour barrier by seconds had driven me to Reykjavik; the possibility of getting to experience a marquee event such as the Boston Marathon goaded me back into training.
As a travel fan the next matter was identifying the where. Laura had accompanied me to Iceland and she would guide this decision with a welcome serving of serendipity. Also a fan of opening herself to fresh experiences, Laura rents spare rooms in her house to long term visitors to the United States. I really enjoyed Leo, who has dual citizenship thanks to a Jordanian father and Russian mother. Leo’s permanent residence is Jordan, but during dinner he expressed delight over returning to St. Petersburg in Russia this summer for family time and a chance to enjoy White Nights.
White Nights? As it turns out, St. Petersburg is so far north the sun never truly sets over the weeks around summer solstice. The city is already stunning with its magnificent collection of stone palaces and bridges, but apparently even more spectacular when bathed in the lengthy twilight at this time of year. During White Nights there are a host of events encouraging the populace to step out late and relish this glimmering beauty. Intrigued by yet another example of our planet’s astonishing diversity, I was inspired to learn more.
Researching White Nights revealed they hold a marathon through the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia and it is a Boston qualifier! Sounds like the stars are aligning, so I checked out the web site for this run. Confess I was initially a bit put off by the premium assessed to foreigners. Registration for natives was 700 rubles, but they jack this up to 1,700 rubles if you are not a national. Fellow runners probably know it will cost you at least $125 to sign up for a marathon in the US and my offense at absorbing the mark-up quickly vanished once I calculated the conversion: 1,700 rubles was less than $25 US! I registered then and there, sealing my fate for travel and training in the upcoming months.
Serendipity may be contagious, but I am sticking to my theory that embracing life generates opportunities for unexpected pleasures. If you have been following this series you may recall Iceland was absent from my radar before asking my friend Ilse if she wanted to run with me in Norway. She declined because she was “running Reykjavik” and guided me to that vibrant destination. This time she would double down.
Because Ilse lives near Helsinki, which is near St. Petersburg, I invited her to run again. Again she declined. This time work was the obstacle, but Ilse works for Viking Cruises and suggested we visit her in Helsinki and jump aboard her ship when it ferried across the Baltic Sea to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Already fascinated by St. Petersburg, Russia I was blown away by this possible expansion. Aware of Helsinki’s reputation as the creative capital of cool, digging in revealed a bounty of treats to explore. Ditto for Tallinn, perhaps double. Only vaguely aware the capital of Estonia housed a charming old town, my jaw went for a free fall after gazing at a few pictures.
Everything crystallized as logistics were addressed. It was cheaper to fly into Helsinki, which is a three hour train ride from St. Petersburg. The true bonus here was learning all of the entry and customs tribulations were tended to during the train ride. Rather than standing in long lines after landing at the airport, we would be seated and progressing towards our destination while all the paperwork battles were being conquered.
Now it was a matter of learning about three new destinations and cultures, and planning expeditions to savor each one. Oh yeah, I guess I need to endure another round of marathon training too. Running around may be giving me the run around, but it has been an excellent run!
AnonymousOctober 28, 2018
Looks like more than St. petersburg…some terrific places!
VanceOctober 28, 2018
A wonderful triple play!
Joe KellyOctober 25, 2018
I agree with Melanic, this city has never got the press it deserves.
VanceOctober 26, 2018
And I agree with both. This is my attempt to throw a bit of ink St. Petersburg way!
Natasha MarleauOctober 25, 2018
Stories like this make me a mental wanderlust.
VanceOctober 26, 2018
May I suggest translating your wanderlust into a wonder list and start exploring??? 😁
AnonymousOctober 25, 2018
Beautiful write and a beautiful city
VanceOctober 26, 2018
Much thanks. Heartily agree that St. Petersburg is a beautiful city…
Gia MelanicOctober 25, 2018
This city has never really got the attention it deserves…Great write !
VanceOctober 26, 2018
I agree, Gia…especially when it is the Great White –> visiting during White Nights over the summer solstice is a very unique experience.
Paul V CapelaOctober 25, 2018
SP is truly a golden city !
VanceOctober 26, 2018
Indeed, Paul. I was astonished by the vast quantity of glitter available, between palaces, churches…not to mention Fabergé eggs!
Dave PetersonAugust 16, 2016
Amazing series…quite frankly..very engaging.
VanceAugust 17, 2016
I appreciate the comment, Dave…and hope to keep everyone engaged for a bit longer yet!
:^)
Paul HornsbyAugust 16, 2016
Amazing how you run around the world, literally. Love this series.
VanceAugust 17, 2016
Thanks so much, Paul. To be completely honest, I am enjoying the series too because it allows me to cherish how blessed I’ve been on this long run.
suzpilapilAugust 16, 2016
We have plenty of Russians here in the UAE and most of them are friendly and down to earth and loved to invite us to visit their country so I guess it is time to open up and allow this part of the world to amaze you guys. Thank you Vance for sharing your experience with Suja. Excellent blog!!!
VanceAugust 16, 2016
Hope to share more in upcoming segments!!!
Monique LeBlancAugust 16, 2016
Not sure how much I trust Russia as a travel destination,. However, do surely love your tales.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
Thank you, Monique. I can share that personal safety was never a major concern around the trip — but they certainly do a thorough job of vetting whether you have any existing contacts to Russia when applying for a tourist visa, which might have given pause if I did have any.
Vicky BalanAugust 16, 2016
This Putin character cares little about sport and likely all the others runners were into drugs..:)..BUT, saving point, your story is wonderful.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
Sadly, I agree. Often the power of travel is the education it provides, and I was shocked by what I learned about the current regime…and unfortunately, not before it was too late to gain feedback from Russians while I had the opportunity. This trip reinforced that I need to be fully prepared before disembarking to a new destination!
:^(
Clarissa BurrowsAugust 16, 2016
Once again, you take us to the ends, to see the start of the race……great legs never die..:)
VanceAugust 16, 2016
I am grateful, Clarissa. Perhaps great legs never die, but dang…you would not want to see my toenails after marathon training for a few months!
:^)
Deb BellAugust 16, 2016
Everything I ever learned or read about St Petersburg says that it is a wonder of the world. How lucky you were to visit. Stunning photos.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
I was blown away by St. Petersburg, Deb…particularly during White Nights. Would recommend coordinating a visit during this time because as crazy as it may sound, the charm is enhanced then!
Phyllis PennyAugust 16, 2016
Your feel travel many miles to run. Your series is most interesting.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
Thank you, Phyllis…it is a wonderful planet to run around in!
:^)
Tom BellAugust 16, 2016
I remember the stories about Peter the Great in high school, and him the Great……photos are excellent and storyline got my attention.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
Yes, I was fascinated by the history around Peter the Great — a truly remarkable persona I knew almost nothing about before this trip.
James LouisbourgAugust 16, 2016
5* Read ! Captivating.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
Thank you very much, James!
Tom BeatonAugust 16, 2016
For a variety of reasons Russia has not seen the kind of tourist development that it deserves. I suspect most are political reasons, yet is has such a beautiful architectural heritage. Interesting story.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
I agree Tom – though remiss I did not have time to learn about my destinations the way I like. It was only as I was leaving that I got into Garry Kasparov’s “Winter is Coming” and learned many disturbing things about Putin (guess I was living on the edge as I had the book open while Russian officials where checking my exit papers, lol!). Despite Kasparov’s suggestion of widespread suppression, I was struck by a much stronger sense of community in St. Petersburg than in my own hometown. Had I been armed with details about Putin earlier, I would have tried to engage locals and get some sense of the situation…
jimcottreauAugust 16, 2016
Russia is such an interesting place, yet it also is seen as a place that really does not want the North American. I remember Catherine and Peter the Great from high school and wonder why our minds are shaped that way. Very interesting piece.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
They do not make it easy, Jim. Getting a tourist visa cost $250 and I had to mail my passport to them…was quite uneasy not having that document in possession for six weeks. However, it was kinda cool seeing my name spelled in Cyrillic characters once it got back home!
:^)
Suja Travel (@SujaTravel)August 16, 2016
Your travels to find ways to express your commitment to running have taken you to some beautiful places and led to some most interesting stories. Congratulations.
VanceAugust 16, 2016
It has proved an excellent combination for keeping me on my toes!
:^)