Oleg Ljadov at Albatros: a triathlete in the gym
Oleg Ljadov, formerly the Soviet Union’s top time trialist and now head of fuel company BKE, has found a new training home — Albatros sports club in Tallinn. Around midday, sometimes later in the afternoon, his roomy sports bag goes into the minibus for a drive of a kilometer to a kilometer and a half at most. And he’s there.
Why Oleg Ljadov chose Albatros
The impeccably equipped sports club, which opened last February, has quietly built up a sizeable following, day by day. Some well-known local figures are among them.
According to former wrestler Valdek Kaurit, one of the club’s owners, those who train here or were among the first to give the place their blessing include Hansapank banker Indrek Neivelt, city council member Arved Liivrand, EMT management board chairman and former basketball player Peep Aaviksoo, Muuga Harbour customs warehouse director and former cyclist Vladimir Smirnov, former mayor Robert Lepikson and many others.
There has been little advertising. Word spreads through personal connections. That suits Ljadov well — his training is not a performance, but a daily commitment to working on himself.
Oleg Ljadov’s training: warm-up, bike and weight machines
Ljadov warms up with a few calisthenic exercises. Then he gets on the stationary bike for about a quarter of an hour. His heart rate picks up; his legs remember the old pace. After that comes a long, well-practiced circuit through the jungle of weight machines.
The muscular club owner, Valdek Kaurit, walks around teasing him: “You’ve come to see him too soon. You can tell just by looking that his former elite fitness is seven hills and valleys away, but Oleg always gets a big boost to his health here.” Ljadov pretends not to hear. He laughs. Nostalgia, that’s all.
In response, he puts on a display that no one else in the gym could match. He drops into the full splits. With style. With perfect form. With a smile.
There’s no denying it — you only really start to feel good after about three weeks. Work is so demanding at the moment that he can only get to the gym every other day. When the mood takes him, he also fits in three to four hours of running a week, quite literally.
Oleg Ljadov and the Hawaii triathlon
One summer, Ljadov still wanted to enter a race or two, but then put the brakes on. He did, however, order a bike and take delivery of it.
For many active triathletes, Hawaii remains a dream. Ljadov has been there twice. On his first visit, he came home with the award for the best debutant. His time of just over nine hours has been beaten by only one Estonian, Litovtšenko.
His passion for rally driving has faded, so he can now take a more relaxed approach to exercising for health, as he did last year. What counts is not the result, but how he feels after a workout.
A man who won’t give up the gym
Life is good, but the good life is even better. One thing is certain — despite being financially secure, he has not rested on his laurels. And not everyone with money has started thinking about the gym yet. Or have they?
FAQs about Oleg Ljadov’s training
How often does Oleg Ljadov train?
His work schedule allows him to get to the gym every other day. He also fits in three to four hours of running a week, quite literally — longer outings on the outskirts of the city.
What does Oleg Ljadov’s usual routine include?
A brief warm-up with calisthenics, a quarter of an hour on the stationary bike, then a long circuit of weight machines. Sometimes he finishes with the full splits — an old habit from his days as an elite athlete.
Does Oleg Ljadov still compete?
He no longer actively competes. He has taken part in the Hawaii triathlon twice; his best time, just over nine hours, has been beaten by only one Estonian, Litovtšenko. These days, the emphasis is on exercising for health rather than pinning on a race number.
Author: Ferd Teller
Source: WHO – physical activity.
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