Avengers Super Heroes 5K

So we got up at 4:30am, got dressed, and headed to our start corral. One of the best things about Disneyland races is the fact that you can walk to the start line from your hotel room in about 10 minutes. We joined our fellow Avenger types and waited for the start. We quickly noticed that this is going to be a race where just about everybody is dressed for the theme, which really isn't too hard, since you can put on an Avengers t-shirt and go. Of course, there were a few that went a little further, like the dude that dressed up as Thor's hammer ...

Anyhow, after a jaunt through both parks, we trotted across the finish line and were done. Because the race was so early in the morning, we had plenty of time to go back to the hotel (another quick walk), shower, get dressed, take a nap, before early opening at Disneyland. Of course we had plans to eat places there for breakfast.

We arrived at the entrance turnstiles and got in line with the hundreds of other people waiting to get in early. Soon we were walking on Main Street. Since the MSU Bulldogs have a big game today, I got a picture with the closest dawg I could. So maybe he wasn't a "bulldog," but at least he had his festive holiday attire on!

We then headed to eat and to ride a couple of the rides that we had "planned" to make sure to do. We had not counted on the fact that early opening at Disneyland meant that only a few "lands" were open - not the entire park. Also only Starbucks was open for breakfast. We altered our plans and road "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" (only available at DLand) and went to Starbucks for a bite. Eventually the rest of the park opened, along with all the other guests for the day, and we managed to ride "The Haunted Mansion" which transforms into an entirely different ride for Christmas. It was really amazing, and I'm so glad we did it!

We shopped around a bit and went back to the hotel around lunch, stopping at Earl of Sandwich so that Molly could get another round of the Thanksgiving Sandwich. We watched MSU play football, and even though the outcome was not what we had hoped for, we are still so proud of the Bulldogs.

We had considered returning to the parks, but instead decided to eat dinner (at Earl's - guess what Molly ordered). We talked to a couple of ladies in line about Disney races and then found a table and ate with Sharon and Tammy, with whom we became quick Run Disney friends (I think it's a cult following). Molly and I returned to the hotel and called it a night - big race tomorrow (and it starts at 5:30am!).

Today's race is for Sharon and Tammy and the ladies we met in line and all the Disney runners I meet at the expos or having a bite or in the corrals or on the course. We always become immediate friends as we commiserate over the cost of the races, the process of entering the races, the outfits and shoes, the course, and just generally anything and everything about Disney races. We encourage each other, pass along valuable information, and take pictures of each other. It is like a family - and we get together at family reunions (aka races) and have a good time. See you at the start line, ladies!

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Today is a gift because: Avengers 5K and medal; Disneyland with Molly; meeting new friends; watching MSU play on tv; getting my DL Pandora charm