Day??? Lost track of time!

Arrived in Hofn, it's Wednesday night at 9pm. Just settling into our sleeping quarters which is kinda like a bed and kitchen....family home with no breakfast included. Just a room with a double bed! Should be an interesting sleep considering my travel partner snores. So far our adventure has reminded me a lot of the movie " Planes, trains and automobiles with John Candy.  Not a dull moment with Nyree my travel partner! We rented a 4x4 Kia and we set off on our own little adventure travelling the island. Today, has been by far, the most spectacular! I have seen places, I have only dreamed of. Iceland is so vast and has so many different landscapes. From lunar views, to mountains, volcanoes, incredible waterfalls and even icebergs!
For dinner, we ate a a local restaurant in Hofn, on the pier. I had Icelandic lobster...it was delicious! For lunch, lamb sandwich....OH so good! I love this Country and feel so lucky to be here! I want to share pictures but having difficulties with wifi downloads at this time. Sorry!

Reykjavik, Day 2

Woke up to another beautiful day in Reykjavik....alarm went off at 6am...but my internal clock didn't allow to wake up until 8:00am!  So much for having time to digest my breakfast before my 9am Team Diabetes fun Run....I quickly slipped on my running gear and grabbed a bite then headed in front of our hotel to meet the rest of the team.  Had a great 5.5km run, then the rest of the day was "shopping day".  Turns out Reykjavik is pretty pricey!  Be it food, clothes or beer....it ain't cheap!  I payed $10.00 US for an espresso Americano and and small danish...beer is about $7.50/beer.....yeuuuuup!
After shopping we met the Team for our Pre-race dinner.  Great food, great people.  Met a bunch of fantastic people from across Canada:
Nick and Ryan......from Ottawa (we call them the matching guys.....always wearing matching shirts...Nick is 6'5 and Ryan is average height.
Andy....from Ottawa
Troy from Edmonton
Trina....from Regina
Jocelyn from Calgary
Harry from Calgary
Wayne and Heather from North of Barrie
Johnny and Donna from Saskatchewan
Chris Coveny.....fellow Realtor in Ottawa
and Scott Rush from Hot 89.9 Radio Station in Ottawa.
Joe Orrechio and Donna Dowsett....Team Diabetes

Now, just back at the room, gonna chill so that I am prepared for the big race....can't wait!

REYKJAVIK, Arrival-DAY 1

Jru!st landed at Keflavic Airport

Guess what? We're in Iceland....said Nyree as our plane was nearing the runway. My face lit up and I had a permanent smile. Although I hadn't slept a wink on the flight from Washington to Iceland, my adrenaline must have kicked in because I suddenly had a burst of energy.

 We arrived at Keflavic at 8am and made our way to our hotel in Reykjavik....approx. 45min drive.  Upon arrival we had some time to spare prior to our Welcome breakfast.  Starving and suddenly feeling myblack of sleep, we walked to a nearby coffee shop for an espresso and pastry.  On our way, we were startled by the loud planes flying out of the Reykjavik airport!  I couldn't believe how close they were flying above our heads....every 10 to 15 minutes, another plane would fly above us....it was spectacular!

16 DAYS TO MY 1/2 MARATHON

WOW, so hard to believe that in less than 2 weeks, I will be jumping on a plane and heading to Iceland to complete my 1/2 marathon!!!Especially when I have let my training go.  I was doing so well, running three days/week and attending the gym 5 days/week!  I hate to admit that for the most part of July, I took a break. I let my training and healthy eating habits go and indulged in greasy, yummy food and fancy drinks.... put on a few pounds.

Last week I received an email and my running shirt from Team Diabetes....what a wake up call!! I had to switch gears... I thought, it's do or die. August 18th is not going away and I had committed to the half marathon and raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes association.....so this week, I jumped back on my saddle!

Last Friday I attempted to run 3miles and nearly died after 2 miles.  I cramped up and had to stop.  But I didn't give up...I just figured, that's only one try....so on Tuesday July 31st, I put on my sneakers, my sunscreen, grabbed my bottle of water and my Iphone with my running music and ran 6 MILES!!!!  I felt so good....I CAN DO IT!!  I believe the success of completing and achieving the 1/2 marathon is mostly mental.....kind of like life.  If I set my mind to it....I know I can do it...it may be difficult and painful, but I will do it and I will feel great about my success.

Today I ran 4miles and also felt great afterwords.  Now I have to start getting geared up for the run. Looking forward to it.....so exciting.

I still have not met my fundraising goal but I am more than half way to reaching my $6,100.00.  Not certain of the exact number yet as I've had to pay off the difference with my credit card to ensure I can participate.  I will need to look at the numbers and will post my progress in my next Blog.