On Wednesday we were up at 4am, neither of us feeling too great I am recovering from asevere dose of the flu, Linda has just started feeling ill, not the best best time for a holiday, but at least it wasn't raining. Although I was going alone she was dropping me off at Heathrow. Of course, Mara has to come for the ride. We left just after 430am and the roads were clear and it took just over an hour to get to the airport. Mara was disappointed that she could not come with me, as she goes literally everywhere I do these days now I am retired.I checked in my small suitcase and then as a BA silver member used the fast track through security and into the lounge. There was plenty of time for a bacon roll and a couple of cups of coffee and then sit back and relax and read the paper. The flight was at 0815 and boarded about 20 minutes beforehand.
I was seated in an aisle row and after a snack fell asleep for most the journey. It is about 3 hours going north and slightly west. It was a smooth flight and we landed on time in Reykjavik. Iceland is an hour behind UK. Then it went downhill.
The plane had been parked on the tarmac so we were bused to the terminal and through passport control, going in an European, but coming out on Friday - who knows? Then to the baggage claim area. The conveyer belt was going round and some luggage, but not ours, it kept going around for an hour and a half before the BA luggage appeared, of course BA says its the airports fault, the airport BA's, the BA Twitter account was too busy with Piers Morgan's seating arrangements to reply to mine. It was even more frustrating as I could have taken the bag on the plane, but to avoid the hassle I didn't, a mistake I won't be making on the return journey!
Having collected my small case I then went to the Grey Line airport bus office and was directed to the bus for Reykjavik. I had a nice window seat, there was wi-if and plenty of leg room. The bus left around midday and took 50 minutes to get to the town centre, although the centre is not that big. I was in desperate need of a coffee by now. Iceland were playing Austria in Euro16 so there was lot of activity around and the centre was busy. I had a wander around and found the Icelandic equivalent of Starbucks 'Te og Kaffi' and had a panini and cappuccino. It was very nice and tasted good.
I then had a wander around the centre, looking at the shops (very expensive) and the old buildings. I found another coffee shop 'Cafe Haiti' in the Old Harbour, the coffee beans evidently come from Haiti and so stopped for a top up, again very nice.
I had booked an apartment through the website AIRBNB and it was about 30 minute walk from town, but very near the race location for Thursday evening. The owner was going to be there at 4.30pm and it was a pleasant walk over to the east side of town. The weather was fine, slightly chiller than England but not too cold.
I was early and so was she, as she wanted to get back to watch the football. I think the whole of Iceland is watching it. The one bedroomed apartment is on the 11th floor, lovely views of the sea and the mountains. I dropped my stuff off and then went for a walk to the supermarket to buy some food to eat. The restaurants are expensive here but I am quite happy with sandwiches and fruit.
I walked back in time for the second half of the football. It was quite exciting and when Iceland scored in the last minute of added on time - it got quite noisy, cars tooting, a few fireworks, cheering in the streets. They seemed quite good at 'parking the bus' and then scoring on the counter attack. I think this will cause England some problems as they have problems getting around parked buses and scoring.
In the evening I did some reading and watched the Belgium game on the TV and Republic of Ireland game by text on the BBC web page. It doesn't get dark here till very late (and I gave up at 23.30) and so went to bed.
On Thursday I woke up around 0830 and got up and made some coffee and had my porridge. I then read the paper and recapped on all the football. I will be glad when the EU referendums over as there will be something different to read in the paper (I hope). I had to check in for my return flight and download the boarding pass.
After that I went for a walk around the local area, found the sports pavilion where I need to register for the race and saw also the national football stadium, slightly different from Wembley . I was doing the 1/2 marathon but as I have had the flu for several days, Linda had said I was only to do the 10K and then at a slow pace, not hare around. We also have HARP at the weekend so need to conserve some energy. The race does not start till 2200 which is why it is called the Midnight Sun Run.
I found a nice coffee shop outside the Laugardalslaug geothermal pool called Joe the Juice and as it is chilly today, went inside for a cappuccino. I then did some work on my next sermon series, as it appears I am preaching every week (some weeks twice) between now and end of September. I started researching murder in the bible, sounds an interesting subject as well as robbery. I was working so hard I had to stay for another coffee and panini as it was lunch time, made some good progress.
I then walked back to the apartment for an afternoon rest, it's quite relaxing just admiring the view. After 4pm I picked up my number and timing chip and had another walk around the park. Only 6 hours to go...
About 9pm I got ready and walked back to the start area, it was still light it felt like an afternoon race. It was difficult planning my food during the day, but I managed it. They were giving a way free coffee prior to the race, so although normally I don't drink coffee that late as night I felt a caffeine infusion may assist my running and it was free.
Around 2500 runners enter the three races from 48 different countries, so it is quite popular, although the sun still didn't put in an appearance.
The race started on the road Engjavegur close to Laugardalsholl Sports Hall in Laugardalur. It went went east out of town towards the Laugardalur valley. This involved going up a hill, past blooming flowers and several waterfalls, the good news was it was downhill on the way back. We went past Lake Rauavatn and then back into town endingon a path by the old laundry springs in Laugardalur called "þvottalaugavegur". The race was mostly on paths and it was an undulating scenic route, which would have been more enjoyable if the sun had appeared.
The organisation wasn't too good either, the 1km route markings were not every 1k which interfered with race strategy and when I finished my bib (which they had given me in a sealed bag) didn't have a sticker or mark on it so initially they weren't going to give me my medal, till I started complaining and they backed down. I had the chiming chip on my foot, so I am not sure what the problem was. Afterwards there was free entry into the local geothermal baths. I stayed and had a 5 minute dip before wandering back to my apartment.
I finished 130 out of 674 runners with a time of 48:41 and was 5th out of 27 British runners (and I beat the Kenyan entry) not sure if that gets me in the Olympic team or not.....
On Friday I was up early as couldn't sleep, must have been the excitement of the EU referendum.... I had to walk to catch the bus back to the airport. I arrived with plenty of time, security was really quick and virtually empty (typical when you're not in a rush). Of course the flight is delayed typical.
Another race box ticked - where next....
You can see some photos here.