In case you weren’t paying attention, runDisney has been tricking us out of more money upping the ante with challenges. This year’s Avengers Super Hero Half Marathon Weekend introduced the Inaugural Captain America 10k and with it, the Inaugural Infinity Gauntlet Challenge. Did Chad and I sign up for all of this insanity, you ask?  I don’t think the sentiment, “DUH”, quite covers my answer, but it will do for now.

We, again, traveled with a giant group of suckers friends and family who were participating in the Avengers Half Marathon. This round included: Crystal (the newbie, from the Haunted Half), Laura (the newbie from the TinkerBell Half), Lindsey (from many many half marathons), and of course, Bob, Debbie, and Brandy.

Inaugural Captain America 10k

Chad used last year’s Captain America costume and I bought a last minute tank top and went as “She-Hulk” because that’s what was available at the Expo. I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed in the last minute costume choice availability at the Expo. What do they expect me to do? PLAN AHEAD??

Chad and I were off to a good, but cold, start and stayed pretty close together. At the last water station (C) Chad was several paces ahead when I was handed a cup of water by a race volunteer and he shouted “GO HO!” at me.  If I recall correctly, which my memory can’t always be trusted after a race, I made the “WTF?” face as I kept going, stunned. It wasn’t until I threw away my cup that I realized he was Asian. And he had said, “Hulk”.

Otherwise, it was a nice 10k and we were happy with the course (mostly inside the park, as it should be) and our pace for day one.

Afterwards we had brunch.  Mid morning, the rest of the group joined in the fun and we headed to the park for some walking and shopping – since I refuse to wait in line for longer than 30 minutes and it was a Saturday. Then we all met at Buca di Beppo for a giant pasta dinner. We even got to sit in the “Pope” room which I was excited about… mainly because there’s a plastic replica of the Pope in the middle of the table and I find it amusing for no reason I can explain.

Avengers Super Hero Half

While last year the half marathon was practically ruined (in my very dramatic and humble opinion) by the extreme Santa Ana winds, this year was relatively mild if not a little colder than I expected. Mostly because I assume it is 70 degrees in Anaheim always. And I refuse to believe otherwise, even when presented with reality.

The race course (pictured above next to the 10k course) was slightly different than last year. Similar to last year, we spent a ridiculously long amount of time running along an aqueduct. It was actually just under 2 miles but it is a long straight stretch with not much to look at except the giant A of the Angels Stadium and a large group of excellent cosplayers dressed as marvel characters. It’s always fun to run around the bases at Angels Stadium, and wave at all the fine service men and women who gather to cheer us on just outside the stadium.

The run back to Disneyland always seems the longest portion of the race, even though it’s just about 2.5 miles until we’re back at the park.

All in all, it was a good 13.1 miles, other than all the times I wanted to die. Which, if I recall, are accurately depicted in red below.

Even with all the dying I wanted to do, and Chad and I being separated within the first mile (so I ran the whole dang thing with only myself to amuse me) I managed to finish in under two hours and get all of my pretty pretty shiny medals.

As usual, we had a couple of days to enjoy the park (sore legs and all).

And for something completely different my sister, Laura, her husband, Mel, and my niece joined us for Monday in the park. This gave me the chance to finally make an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and participate in a princess transformation. Because, “ma’am, this is really only for kids” can be told to me so many times before they threaten to kick me out of the park.  Jerks.

My niece LOVED being transformed into a princess and thoroughly enjoyed meeting as many pixies, princesses, mice, and any other type of Disney character she could get in line to hug and interview.  This is her asking Tinker Bell where she lives.

Since this was Chad and my fourth visit to Disneyland this year (nope, not gonna get tired of that place, ever, dad), we were able to stop and smell the gingerbread scented air and it allowed me to fully participate in Pin Trading, my new hobby. In case you were thinking to yourself, “what have you been doing with all those pins you were buying over the last several years?” That was Pin Collecting. There’s a difference.  I don’t know what it is… but there’s a difference.

It was a lovely trip – and we’re ready for the six month Disneyland break – so we can do it all over again in May.