Reykjavik, Iceland

Pingvellir, site of first Icelandic Parliment in 930 and adoption of Christianity in 1000.
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Reykjavik was incredible!  Although very expensive, the city has much diverse culture! Being there with Team Diabetes Canada made the experience incredible; having a piece of home while travelling afar.  With my luggage being lost, Team D members were kind enough to loan me some essentials.

The outskirts of Reykjavik were so beautiful!  The scenery and sights of some of the most surreal natural wonders made the trip absolutley breathtaking.  We visited Þingvellir, where the Icelandic parliament Alþingi was established in 930 and Christianity was adopted in the year 1000.

C small creek where the water is so crystal clear that you can see approximately 50-60 feet down.
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Þingvellir has been a National Park since the 1920’s and geologically seperate it is unique since here the tectonic plates, that is America and Europe, and these continents are slowly drifting apart. We then visited the beautiful waterfall Gullfoss, the incredible spouting hot spring of Geysir and Strokkur and the immensely powerful old implosion crater, Kerið. We then proceed on our journey to Hveragerði town, a small but beautiful horticultural town where you will see how geothermal energy has been harnessed to create unique greenhouse cultivation.

Gullfuss waterfalls.
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Race Day was unbelieveable! A combination of anxiety, nervousness, excitment, and fear left me feeling sick to my stomach.  The race was incredible!  Finishing the half marathon in 2:55:59, I crossed the finished line exerting every bit of energy I had!  Crying, emotional and over-joyed, I had finally achieved a goal that I set out 8 months ago to complete.

After the Victory Dinner, we celebrated the Cultural Festival with the locals.  From watching the fireworks to drinking and dancing in the streets, it was by far a perfect way to celebrate an amazing journey!  And I got my luggage, too!!

Hot springs beside Strokkur, the Geysir. The base temperature of these springs is 250 degrees Celcius.
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Overall, the bittersweet feeling of my experience in Reykjavik was absolutley memorable and probably one of the best times of my life!