July 17, 2025 • 50 mins
A true Disney fairytale unfolded at this year's Run Disney Springtime Surprise weekend, as Cole orchestrated a finish line proposal to Ashley that will leave you believing in happily-ever-afters. Their story perfectly captures why Run Disney events are so much more than just races – they're moments where memories are made, milestones are celebrated, and sometimes, lifelong commitments begin.
Cole shares every heart-pounding detail of his proposal planning, from timing the ring delivery perfectly to the nail-biting decision to run the entire 10-mile race with the precious jewelry secured on his pinky finger. The tension builds as he calculates exactly when and where to pop the question, eventually choosing the reunions area where Ashley could be surrounded by her Run Disney community. When she finally crosses the finish line, flag bobbing in her visor for easy spotting, the magic unfolds in a moment neither will ever forget.
What follows is equally enchanting, as the newly engaged couple celebrates at Magic Kingdom with castle photos (eventually featured on their wedding invitations) before building droids together. It's the perfect Disney day – a blend of romance, adventure, and pure joy that exemplifies why these race weekends hold such special meaning for so many runners.
But this episode isn't just about one couple's magical moment. Ashley, a Disney Travel Advisor, and Coach Christine deliver a masterclass on securing your runDisney spot and registration tips for the highly anticipated 2026 Springtime Surprise weekend (featuring friendship-themed races from Zootopia, Winnie the Pooh, Inside Out, and Lilo & Stitch). From registration strategies to accommodation tips, these Run Disney veterans share everything you need to know to make your race dreams come true – whether you're planning a proposal or simply chasing that perfect medal.
Ready to create your own extraordinary Disney running memories? Take these insider tips, mark your calendar for July 29th, and prepare to experience the magic of transforming miles into milestones. Whether you're a seasoned runner or first-timer, this episode proves that with Disney, every finish line can be just the beginning.
Want to book your very own magical trip? Find Ashley here.
Ready to kick off your extraordinary training? Join Coach Christine's waitlist here.
Have questions or want to chat? Send me a text!
Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hey friends, welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the
podcast designed to help youchase your dreams one stride at
a time.
I'm your host, coach Christine,and today we have a very special
episode for all the runners andromantics out there.
We're going to kick things offwith an unforgettable love story
featuring not just lovebirds,but also besties, ashley and
(00:23):
Cole, who got engaged at RunDisney's Magical Springtime
Surprise weekend earlier thisyear.
However, after we get to heartheir love story, we're also
going to want you to stickaround, because Ashley and I are
going to share our best insidertips and strategies for
successfully scoring yourregistration and spot at 2026
(00:46):
Run Disney Springtime SurpriseWeekend, because registration is
a common, my friends and weknow you want to get your hands
on those tickets, along withchasing some miles with your own
besties.
So lace up, settle in and let'sdive into this magical journey
together.
Let's welcome our specialguests.
We have Ashley, our friend andofficial travel advisor from
(01:08):
Mystical Dream Travel, and hernow fiance, cole, who recently
had a magical race day proposalat Ren Disney's Springtime
Surprise weekend.
Ashley and Cole, welcome backto Extraordinary Strides, thank
you for having us.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
I'm so excited because we got a chance to speak
to you guys before SpringtimeSurprise and it's been a little
bit of time, but well, a lot hashappened since then.
So, Ashley, before we get toofar into it, let's go ahead and
remind our listeners who you are, what you do with Mystical
Dream Travel and how you helpall of our extraordinary strides
listeners with their fabuloustravel plans, and a little bit
(01:49):
about both of y'all's runningjourney.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, so, um, I have been working in the travel
industry for about three yearsnow.
Just started because I was uhreally just enjoyed traveling.
People were asking me abouttravel already, so just kind of
like felt it was right to helpeverybody officially.
So I'm certified in severaldifferent areas cruise lines,
(02:16):
disney, universal.
Now, like European travel a lotof fun stuff there happening.
So always follow along on mysocial media pages.
I'm on Instagram and Facebookand I'm sure Christine will link
those, so if anybody needsanything help upcoming, I'm
(02:37):
happy to help.
All of my services arecomplimentary, so if you choose
to work with me, that kind ofplanning and concierge service
is always included.
Um, and then met coat Christine.
Uh, what was it?
It's now springtime surprise.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Yeah, springtime is a big one for us.
Like, it has a lot of specialmeaning for everybody here on on
the microphone today.
Um, yeah, and then your runningjourney has just been
incredible to watch.
Um, yeah, and then your runningjourney has just been
incredible to watch.
Yeah, there's been a lot ofmiles since then.
There have been a perfectseason and, of course, a super
magical proposal, which bringsus to cole.
Who cole just got his greatopportunity of running run
(03:17):
disney at springtime surprise.
So, cole, what'd you think?
Did you like?
Like it?
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Uh, yeah, it was.
It was definitely entertaining.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Okay, um, but that particular race day was a
different one for you becauseyou had a whole other layer
besides just running the race.
So can you maybe give us ascoop a little bit of how that
springtime surprise weekend wasfrom your perspective?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
It was stressful Okay .
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Just a little bit.
Tell us a little bit why.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Well, I had plans to propose to Ashley.
At least I had plans in my head.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
But I had to make sure that the ring showed up
before I left, but after sheleft.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Ooh, which is tough.
So Ashley came out for theentire Springtime Surprise
Challenge weekend, so she left afew days before you.
You were coming outspecifically for the 10-miler
right Cole.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Okay, so you had like a three-day, if even.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Okay.
So yeah, that that right out ofthe gate is kind of stressful.
So how did that work out?
Speaker 3 (04:32):
It actually worked out good.
It it?
I think I got the ring on theday she actually left, so I got
it with plenty of time.
That worked out good.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, okay, okay.
So we had a little pixie dustto help us with that aspect and
then, um, I I assume there's alot of different facets with
then you have to travel with thering, you have to hide the ring
while you guys are together, um, and then of course, you still
have to get prepared for yourrace and all of that.
So how did that all work out?
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Yeah, I had.
I had the ring in my backpacksafe and sound, didn't leave my
view at all.
I had it with me essentially atall times and I had to make
sure it was hidden in there wellenough that she, if she went
prying, she wouldn't have foundit.
So it was deep down into apocket.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
That leads me naturally to the next question
how in the world did you manageto plan this proposal and keep
it hidden from Ashley?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I had a couple of different ideas going into the
weekend on what I could do,ideas going into the weekend on
on what I could do.
Um, when we got to our room, uh, our, it was both of our last
names on the screen, like thewelcome, welcome screen.
And I thought, well, maybe if Iwant to do it just by our, by
ourselves, I'll just set myphone up to record and have them
(06:02):
change the welcome screen tojust my last name.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Okay, that's a good one.
So I have to ask what made youdecide like what was the final
decision of I'm going to makethis more of a public proposal
versus a private proposal, ordid you have any idea how that
was going to roll out into likethe very last minute?
Speaker 3 (06:25):
uh, honestly it I felt like, uh, she would love to
tell people that she gotproposed to after the the 10
miler at springtime.
I I thought that she woulddefinitely enjoy that and I I
was more worried about the crowdaround us than actually asking
(06:48):
her.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Oh, I could see that.
I mean because it is, it's.
It is something where you knowthat there's going to be folks
around.
They're going to kind of gawkor ooh and a little bit.
So I have to ask now, ashley,did he get it right?
Did you really prefer, likethat finish line proposal?
Is that what your heart wanted?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, I think either one of them were like great
ideas, you know, so it's.
It's always now going to bespecial.
That Springtime Surprise was myfirst ever run Disney race, the
first long distance race that Igot to share with somebody.
I know my mom ran prior with mebut the 10 miler kind of with
(07:33):
me, even though he left me.
But now adding things to do.
This is a celebration too.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
So did you have any inkling?
Did you have an idea at all?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
I did because he's terrible at hiding things Just
for the record.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
we don't really want, like our significant others, to
be fantastic at hiding things,by the way.
So OK, so you kind of had ageneral idea.
Yeah, ok, cole, did you kind of?
Did you know that, or are youlearning that right now?
Speaker 3 (08:04):
cole did you kind of do you, did you know that or are
you learning that right now?
Speaker 1 (08:06):
oh no, I, I she knew well in advance that it was
going to happen eventuallysometime not maybe not
necessarily at springtime, butdefinitely sometime in the near
future got it and of course youknow, we know, um or folks, if
you guys remember back to ourprevious conversations with Cole
and Ashley, that Disney,specifically Ren Disney, has a
(08:29):
really special place in herheart.
So it makes sense that, Cole,you would want to pop the
question there.
I'm curious you tell us thestory because I guess we kind of
we've started to paint thepicture a little bit.
Ashley and you start the 10miler together.
Is that when you decide I'mgoing to like run to the finish
(08:49):
line and propose to her there?
Did you think of like askingher on the course at some point
at the start line?
Tell us kind of like whatyou're thinking through that
entire process.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Well, the first thing was getting the ring to the
starting line, which was notdifficult, but it was more nerve
wracking to make sure that Ihad it at all times, constantly
checking my pocket.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Okay, I have to ask real quick Were you scared to
use the Porto Potty before therace?
With the ring A little bit,because I'd be terrified.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Okay, a little bit.
Okay.
Okay, well, good, we just wegot that out of there, so we
know that there was.
I mean truly.
So, folks, again, if you havenot done RIMDISI, we're getting
there super early.
I don't know about you, cole,but specifically I'm not
necessarily thinking on firingon all cylinders that early
anyway and then having thatextra valuable piece on me and
(09:42):
being a little nervous about theamount of time we're waiting.
So you're not nervous aboutrunning with it, you're just
nervous about having it on yourperson before the race, or are
you nervous?
Speaker 3 (09:51):
about the whole thing .
I was nervous about the wholething.
I I thought it might beinappropriate to try to propose
on the course, given that youknow there's people running.
Um, so that was definitelydefinitely a and uh.
As much as ashley uh isfrustrated by I am much faster
(10:11):
than her.
I cannot run the distance thatshe does, but I am.
I am much faster than her.
So, uh, I knew I was gonnafinish ahead of Okay, but I
didn't know how far ahead, so Iwasn't going to just like stop
at the finish line Because,again, inappropriate, not really
the place to do that If she wasright behind me maybe I would
(10:34):
have done that Right.
So I was like, well, the nextbest place is in the parking lot
after the race Around.
You know her friends and peoplethat she's gotten to know over
the years from doing Run Disneyand you know just Disney people
in general.
So the plan was to do itafterwards.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Okay.
So, friends, it's the finishersreunion area and Run Disney,
like most big races, will havethe finish line, which, by the
way, cole, cole, major kudos.
You're absolutely right, Ithink, from a conscientious
standpoint, while it's a reallypowerful, poignant moment for
you guys, everybody else is alsowanting to have their own
finish line experience.
I think you're absolutely deadon right of not interrupting the
(11:18):
flow of other runners.
So there's the finish line andthen, um, run Disney has you
going through a really longshoot.
You pick up some of your postrace refreshments, your metal,
um, I would say probably, atleast would you guys say like a
quarter to half a mile of thatfinish line shoot until you get
out into the reunion area.
It feels, it feels more of whenyou're there that morning.
(11:38):
Yeah, yeah.
It's like when are we gettingout of here?
Um, and then everybody kind ofconvenes at the reunions the
runners reunion area, and that'swhere you would meet up with
family and friends, and it'sactually a very festive
environment because there's a DJ, they've got photo
opportunities.
It's really fun.
I actually love that part of itbecause we get to connect with
(11:59):
folks.
So I think at that point I'malmost positive.
Paul, you were one of the firstfolks to finish, right, I think
you may have been there waitingfor all of us, or was I?
I don't remember if I was there, but I do remember that you
were pretty.
You were definitely quite fastin your, in your finish time.
Um, so then, what's goingthrough your head as to?
(12:20):
Are you tracking Ashley?
How are you knowing, like, whenshe's going to come through
into that finish line shoot?
Speaker 3 (12:27):
well, we have to talk about the best part, the fact
that I ran all 10 miles of thatrace with her ring on my pinky,
and you can see it in all of thepictures shut the front door.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
We can.
We can see it in the pictures.
I don't think I've noticed.
Ashley, have you posted thesephotos?
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Yeah, it's very visible on his finger.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Oh, my goodness, that's amazing.
Now I want to go to her profileand like zoom in really quickly
.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Um, okay, he should have posed with it.
It would have been veryhysterical.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
So did you realize that that was going to happen,
cole?
Or you just don't care?
You just figure my pinky isgoing to be safe because it
won't fall off of it and that'sa good place for me to run with
it.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
I had a death grip on my phone and my wallet to make
sure that ring stayed on thatentire 10 miles.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Can I just say I think you caused yourself a
whole lot of stress for thisspecific race, my friend.
I mean that seems like for 10miles.
You had a lot of additionalstressors for it, no doubt about
it.
So that is I love that.
I love that you were so focusedon it so you run the full 10
miles.
It sounds like you wouldn'tadvise folks for doing that,
(13:39):
though, would you?
Or if they were, how would they?
Would you suggest that that'sactually the best way of doing
it?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
I don't know.
I thought it was the best wayat the time.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Okay, I feel like what else could there be?
You don't want to put it inyour pocket?
Um, that really makes sense tome.
So at what point does it startto click to you that it's
becoming more and more realshe's going to be coming through
the finish line shoe, or areyou tracking her like?
Tell me what's going throughyour mind at this process where,
like, you're getting closer toactually proposing?
Speaker 3 (14:12):
so I I was tracking her.
Uh, I believe, I believe youwere tracking her on the disney
run, disney uh page website,whatever it is.
But I was tracking her becausewe share location.
I was tracking her on my phone.
This is part of the reason weshare location.
So I was tracking her on myphone and got to tell when she
(14:32):
was getting close and I startedto get a little nervous about it
and I think I turned to you andasked if you were going to
record it.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Which I was incredibly anxious about for the
record.
So I think next time we need toget the if this happens ever in
the future, I'm going tosuggest that we get a Disney
photo pass videographer orsomething of the sort, cause I
was like this incredibly specialmoment, but I think at this
point there was a couple ofhelpers um, right, because it
was myself, and Kristen, anotherfriend of extraordinary strides
(15:04):
.
Ashley, you're on the courseactually with Christina, right,
so you're just living your bestlife.
We had a blast.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
You have zero stress.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Meanwhile, cole's been stressing for like 72 hours
throughout this entire process.
Talk about the love that he hasfor you.
Okay.
So, cole, you're getting alittle anxious, though.
We're starting to track her.
We know she's coming through,we're still not a hundred
percent sure of when she's goingto, from crossing that finish
line, getting through the shootto the reunions area.
What are you thinking at thatpoint, like what's going through
(15:35):
your mind?
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Uh, first thing was was, once she comes through,
just getting eyes on her andmaking sure we find her, we, we
find each other, essentially andand just making sure that you
know there's there's no issues,making sure she's okay, you know
, everything like that.
And then, uh, it was prettyeasy to find her.
She was wearing a flag in hervisor, so that was that made it
(15:59):
really easy to find her.
Um, but then it was the nervesof everybody around too, of like
, oh, I got to do this in frontof everybody.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Yes, literally everybody.
I think I remember Kristensaying that like, well, you need
to be prepared, the people aregoing to definitely circle
around and kind of watch.
I don't know if that helped ornot, but I do recall her saying
that kind of watch.
I don't know if that helped ornot, but I do recall her saying
that Ashley, you're finishing up, You're having your best 10
(16:31):
miles ever.
You just joked your way throughit with Christina.
Are you thinking is it going tohappen?
Is this potentially happeninghere?
What's going through your mind?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Oh, most definitely.
I did not think it was going tohappen there.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Are you excited to know that he's finished and
you're going to be seeing himsoon and reuniting with him
after he did his first runDisney 10 miler yeah, so we kind
of took our time like gettingthrough the finish line shoot.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Christina saw her family right after the finish in
the stands there.
We got all of our stuff, walkedalong and as we come out of the
area, coming between the gearcheck trucks to officially kind
of enter in that reunion area.
Um, I looked at Christina.
I was like we need to like hootand holler and be as loud as we
(17:15):
can because it's going toembarrass him that he did his
first run Disney race.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Oh, we did.
So you're congratulating himfor his incredible first run
Disney race.
Meanwhile, he wants to likehe's trying to figure out how to
make this happen with the leastamount of eyes on the entire
proposal.
When did it click to you thathe was going to propose, or that
he was proposing?
Not until literally like asit's happening.
(17:41):
Cole, at any point are youthinking she might say no?
Speaker 3 (17:45):
No.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
That was not a concern whatsoever.
Okay, are you thinking, though,like what do I say?
What's kind of going throughyour mind as you're actually
saying the like, proposing thebig question?
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Well, she came to me a little quicker than what I was
expecting because I wasplanning to be down on one knee
and ready for her.
But she, she came up reallyfast and hugged me and we kissed
and then I was just showed herthe ring and asked her do you
want to get married?
Speaker 1 (18:20):
And Ashley.
Of course, he said yes, that'swhy we're here.
If not, it'd be a very awkwardconversation to have you both in
the same podcast, but at thispoint it's.
It's actually happening.
What's going through your mind,um?
Speaker 2 (18:35):
just excitement.
Um, cause we, if we had talkedabout it and obviously knew it
was coming at some point, justwasn't really wasn't expecting
it at that moment.
Um, because coming into thatmorning I was like oh, maybe.
And then we got there and I waslike there's no way like that
it's happening today because howis he gonna run with the ring?
Speaker 1 (18:55):
like it's just not going to work, right?
Yeah, so I was not expectinganything.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
So when it finally kind of happened, I was like, oh
my gosh.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Super exciting.
So I mean I think so manythings went right.
For the record, cole, givingyou tons of kudos because I
think this was not easy to pulloff by any strict imagination
I'm curious what you guys thinkwent like.
What was it that you feel likewas the most perfect aspect of
how it went down?
And by that I mean likelogistically, cole, what would
you say you would definitely, orwhat you would suggest somebody
(19:29):
else who's considering it totake into consideration or to do
?
Speaker 3 (19:35):
I would never run with the ring again.
I would find somebody that'sgoing to be at the finish line
to hold it Somebody trustworthy.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Seriously like.
Who would it have been?
I don't know who we would havehad at the very like most of the
people there were running.
So really, who would we havehad?
Speaker 3 (19:52):
I don't know, but that was the most stressful 10
miles.
I know I feel so bad for you.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
My heart literally feels bad for you, because I can
only imagine Okay, so you wouldsuggest to folks don't run with
something valuable.
That's actually the whole, likethe whole shebang for the
proposal.
What do you think you didreally well, though, that you
would advise others to consider?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
I think doing it around a group of people
honestly was cool.
Just to have you know peoplewere clapping, you know people
that we don't know clapping andsaying congratulations, which
wasn't the idea.
Again, I had a plan to do it inprivate, but I think just the
whole atmosphere everybody'spretty positive at that point.
(20:39):
You know everybody justfinished running 10 miles.
You know we're all excitedabout it, so I think that was
definitely, uh, probably I'd saythat's the best part of my
entire plan was doing it, when Idid it and how I did it.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I love it.
I mean, honestly, I think, somany things that you did really
well for the record in terms ofdoing it at the reunion area, in
an area that is safe you don'thave to worry about runners
running past you or into you orhaving an issue in that regard.
The fact that you did it with agroup of people who are near
and dear to Ashley's heart, thatshe's met through the run
Disney life um, I think theentire thing was just absolutely
(21:18):
beautiful to be able to witness, absolutely amazing, actually.
What would you say that youwould suggest to folks that are
considering this kind ofproposal?
Speaker 2 (21:28):
oh boy, um, I don't know.
I mean, like you said,everything really was like
perfect, like yeah, either way,like a private proposal would
have been nice too, but it wasreally nice doing it with, like,
(21:48):
my people there you know, I run.
dis Disney is obviously a bigpart of my life.
A lot of my friends were therethat we were running with Um, so
I w I was really happy to beable to share that with
everybody.
Um, because I had been waiting.
Um, I don't know.
(22:08):
Um, I don't know, I don't know.
I think um my best piece ofadvice to to contradict Cole if
you run with a ring, like dofunny photo, pass pictures,
because that would have like Iwould have died seeing some of
(22:29):
those.
I also still like he passed youat some point and you're both
in a picture together and haveno idea.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Neither one of us.
Yes, yes, that is, that isabsolutely true.
So I don't I mean, and the ringwas in that picture, it was.
I'm going to have to go backand look at my Disney photo pass
now.
Ok, so long story short.
Folks, it's two o'clock in themorning.
The man did not lose the ring.
He proposed to her.
It was beautiful.
This is as good as it gets Ifwe're going to do a proposal at
(22:58):
Run Disney.
I honestly think, cole, you dida fantastic job.
So many things could have gonewrong and because you did plan
as well as you did, because youwere so protective over that
ring, I think it went throughsuper flawlessly.
Which, of course, leads me tohow did you guys celebrate
afterwards?
Cause it has to be superexciting still at that point.
And and also, mondo, kudos toCole and Ashley, because, while
(23:20):
it was a very big moment forthem, they still took time to
congratulate other runners,other friends.
They were still there formyriad of other different
celebrations and achievementsthat people were doing
throughout that entire raceweekend.
But how did you guys choose tocelebrate?
Maybe did you go have a specialbrunch?
Did you have specific Disneyparks that you hit up?
Speaker 2 (23:42):
I mean, we, we went to Disney.
You know what do you do whenyou win the Superbowl and you go
to Disney world.
So we went and had a normalvacation.
We went back and got showeredand ready to go and went over to
magic kingdom um for somepictures around there, like
classic in front of the castle,and we had one photo pass
(24:02):
photographer.
That was actually um part ofthe college program and we
submitted kudos to her for thecast compliment because she did
amazing, went out of her way andmade us a just engaged button
and really the pictures that wetook are actually on our wedding
invitations because they werejust great.
(24:24):
So went and did that and thenwent to build droids.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
There you go.
That's as fantastic as it gets.
So a couple things that kind ofcome to mind for friends that
are considering doing a big raceproposal if you're doing run
disney, because there are somany fantastic run disney photo
spots even there, like actuallyat the reunion area, um, I think
you guys did at some point makeyour way over to the disney
photo pass photographers there,um, to get some special shots
(24:53):
and, of course, taking advantageof being at the parks and the
PhotoPass photographers there aswell.
It seems like, again, just somany wonderful ways to celebrate
.
But any final advice thateither of you would have, like
Ashley, for somebody who'spotentially thinking they may
get proposed to after a racelike would you say, like, put a
(25:14):
flag in your visor so they canfind you relatively easily.
Like what would you suggest?
Get your nails done.
Tell me, tell me what kind ofadvice you guys would give
people.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
I mean definitely have your nails done, but the
flag, just that was probably thefunniest.
But that was definitely likehands down, probably the
funniest like Disney bound thatI've done, because even
throughout the race like thatwas definitely like hands down,
probably the funniest likeDisney bound that I've done,
because even throughout the racelike that thing came in handy.
So it's funny that even throughthe reunion areas how he
(25:43):
ultimately was able to see you.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Yeah, yeah and Cole, any like words of advice that
you would have or any thingsthat you think that we should
know from that experience?
Speaker 3 (25:56):
um, like I said, uh, if you're gonna run with the
ring, just make sure it issecure, make sure you're not
gonna lose it.
Um, I'd say, make sure you'rein a, a nice area, that if you
have somebody recording youdon't have the porta potties
like in the background, likeright next to you, or uh, you
(26:20):
know anything like that.
That.
That could have been just notbad.
But you know, just when youlook back at the picture, you
just you're not the happiestwith yourself.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
It would have been a little stinky too, so that's
always not fun but my advice isjust do it.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
And I think the reunion area is the best place.
Unless you are at an even pacewith your partner.
Then I say maybe somewhere onthe course that is not as
crowded and has plenty of room.
But because again, I was alittle quicker, it worked out
(27:01):
really well that I was able tohave time to kind of set up plan
in my head and make sure youknow everything should go okay.
But yeah, my best advice isjust just do it.
If you're thinking about it,just do it.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
So get past the nerves of folks kind of watching
or gawking and just kind ofembrace the moment and make it
happen.
Make the magic happen Okay.
I love that Well, I want tothank you guys so much and I do
want to also thank you forletting us share letting myself
and others within the traininggroup share in on your really
magical special moment.
(27:35):
It was seriously soheartwarming and so beautiful to
see you guys decide to moveforward in that way, and we wish
you the very, very best as youcontinue to plan on your wedding
and can't wait to see you guysagain for a future run Disney
race.
So, cole, thank you for sharingyour extraordinary moment with
us.
Ashley, I need you to stickaround, my friend, because we've
got more information to sharefor the listeners.
(27:57):
So, cole, thank you.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
All right, friends, I can't stress enough how special
that springtime surpriseweekend was.
But with all the magic that is,all things from Disney, and
whether or not folks areplanning on getting engaged at
the finish line, the very firstthing that has to be planned is
scoring that magic registration,which is akin to a golden
ticket and with a new springtimesurprise 2026 themes out.
(28:21):
Well, we know that it's goingto sell out very quickly,
probably a little faster thanyou can even say pixie dust.
So let's break down exactly howlisteners can snag their spots,
because Ashley and I maybe knowa thing or two about
registering for Run Disney, andwe do know that Club Run Disney
can score their registration afull week ahead of general
(28:43):
registration.
But for the sake of thispodcast, this information, we're
going to focus on mere mortalsthat have to play the Hunger
Games during generalregistration.
So let's get to it.
Let's chat all thingsspringtime surprise.
It is a very special weekendfor us, isn't it Ashley?
It really is.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
That's, like I said, was my start into run Disney.
That's how we met.
There's so many wonderfulthings that come out of
Springtime Surprise and it'ssuch a nice distance weekend.
It's not the chaos of all theother ones.
It has a really unique vibe.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
That's just laid back it is, seriously, it's probably
my favorite weekend because Imean I feel like there's a great
buzz with Wine and Dine withthe kickoff of the season.
But Marathon Weekend can feel alittle bit overwhelming.
Princess is definitelyoverwhelming and spring time
surprise just feels a little bitmore laid back.
(29:35):
So it's got so many greatthings.
And then I love these themes.
So tell me what themes are like.
Calling to you, girlfriend, ohthey all are, but like, let's
start.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
5k kick off to everything is utopia.
So we got judy hops and NickWilde in there, so it's going to
be so much fun.
I really, really, really hopethat they have Giselle like
songs all over the course.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
You know they will.
Yeah, I mean come on Like.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Epcot needs to be a dance party for this
specifically.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
I cannot wait specifically for that as well.
I think what I love and weshould definitely pull it back a
little bit is that this is allabout besties.
They're themed all aboutfriendship and besties and
that's what I feel springtimesurprise does bring that vibe
anyway, because people haveconnected or met throughout the
run Disney season and they'reable to go back and kind of
reunite with all of their bestfriends.
(30:26):
So I'm excited about Zootopiafor sure.
Um, I think that the 10k themewinnie the pooh and all of our
favorite pals from 100 acrewoods I can already imagine the
cute costumes run disney can aswell, because they're asking
everybody to wear pants.
Um, also, it seems like thatone might be a super popular one
(30:48):
.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
I know, I know it's gonna be so much fun um it, I
can.
I can only imagine the costumesand I'm very glad that run
Disney put that littledisclaimer out there to please
wear pants, because people wereliterally losing their poo over
it yeah, yeah, we don't reallywant to see that, yeah but let's
(31:10):
not forget about the 10 miler.
Now, christine, I think we kindof like put this out into the
universe, because last year'sspringtime surprise we talked
about the emotions.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
Yeah, and we talked about how this was what we
wanted to do regardless.
So now that it's going to bethe 10 miler with Inside Out, I
have to ask which character doyou really want to dress up as?
Oh, my Lord, I don't rememberwhat we said.
Well, it's not what we said.
What would you want If yourheart could choose?
We will play for the sake ofthe team and whatever the team
(31:41):
decides, but what really iscalling to you If you could
bound for the 10 miler?
As one of the inside outemotions?
Who speaks to you?
Who do you resonate most with?
Speaker 2 (31:55):
I don't know out emotions, who?
Who speaks to you?
Who do you resonate most with?
I'm lonely.
There's so many.
I'm trying to think of all ofthem and like which one I fit in
best with.
Speaker 1 (32:03):
I love that, like inside out is a run Disney race
weekend, like from every aspectof it you feel all of those
emotions it really is.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
I mean, if I had to pick one, oh gosh, I mean, joy
is definitely something I'mdefinitely not like anger there
is no anger, um.
But then they have so many newemotions with inside out too
(32:34):
that like I don't know, I mean,I think it's probably gonna be.
Joy is the most that I resonatewith.
Um, I just like to always belike happy and yeah, bouncing
around.
(32:54):
You know, I could also do alittle bit of of anxiety, like
when you're walking into a newsituation but, like immediately.
Joy is your top favorite list,yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
How about you.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Oh man, I love all the emotions.
What I love about Inside Out isthat literally they talk about
the fact that, like there is noreal bad emotion.
So you could choose any of themand absolutely enjoy that
weekend to its fullest.
But I do love Disgust.
Has a little bit of like apanache with her outfit that I
would love, and Ennui just makesme giggle.
I could never pull it off, butI would love Ennui as well.
(33:28):
But with that, of course, thechallenge theme is going to be
Aladdin and Jeannie, which ispositively perfect because those
are best buds for sure andthat's such a great way to tie
together that whole weekend ofracing.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Absolutely.
And then we have Ohana for you.
Speaker 1 (33:47):
So I have to ask are you going to do it?
Speaker 2 (33:49):
Oh, I don't know.
I feel like I need to do it.
Oh, I don't know, I I feel likeI need to.
I'm trying to convince my momto come down and I think once
she finally learns the um themes, I think she's probably gonna
do this one, because she reallyloves Lilo and Stitch and we saw
the new movie and it's so sodid you cry?
Speaker 1 (34:09):
I bawled.
I bawled with the like animatedone back in the day and I
bawled the new live action one.
I just bawled, yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
So sweet.
It's a really great wrap up ofthe weekend because this is
still on Monday.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Yeah.
So let's talk a little bitabout that before we get into
registration.
Registration is going to be andwhat we're going to talk about
registration and how to registerthrough general registration
will apply across the board, Um,unless if run Disney changes
something which could alwayshappen.
But as of right now, we'regoing to use the best tips.
But before we get into that,let's talk about run Disney.
Springtime surprise weekend isright now slated for April 16th
(34:49):
through the 20th, which includesthat 5k, the 10K, 5K on Friday,
10K on Saturday, 10 miler onSunday, and yoga is on Mondays
Generally.
Traditionally is kind of howthey always roll through that,
and that seems to be the casefor this as well.
Again, Expo.
So we're going to advise thatif you are planning for that run
(35:10):
Disney weekend, do know thatyou're likely going to want to
go experience all things, expo,um, the very first day, and
that's usually held on theThursday before the race kicks
off.
All those details can be foundat run Disney.
But now we are going to getinto what it takes to actually
score that golden ticket,because I do think this race is
going to be super popular basedoff those themes.
(35:31):
So kick it off for me, Ashley,what would you say?
Just that people really beprepared for?
Speaker 2 (35:38):
So the first things first, always, always, always,
create a run Disney account Ifyou don't have one already.
If you do have one, make sureit's up to date with any of your
current information, addresschange.
Anything that you can think ofthat needs to be in there.
Even if you think it's up todate, go in and check it,
(36:00):
because you don't want to bescrambling when the
registration's live and thingssell out as you're checking out,
sometimes, unfortunately.
So make sure that's all inthere.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
Yeah, absolutely, I would agree.
I think it's super important aswell that not only do you have
a run Disney account, that it'sall up to date, is to make sure
that you are also able to log in, because again, some people
forget their login details andthey're scrambling for that last
minute.
So mark it on your calendar.
(36:32):
Registration for SpringtimeSurprise 2026 is going to be
Tuesday, july 29th, at 10 amEastern time.
We highly recommend that youblock time on your schedule.
If you've got a lot of meetingsand you're going to try to just
casually log on around 10.05 or10 to 15 and see if you can
score, your registration likelyis not going to happen.
(36:54):
So what is your typicalregistration morning setup?
Walk me through.
How does Ashley register duringgeneral registration?
Speaker 2 (37:02):
So I always like to have my phone and, like my
laptop, set up usually about 20,15 minutes before registration
opens, just to make sure it's up, it's working, everything's
charged, there's no little bugsof like connecting to the
internet or something like that.
So I always make sure I havethose set up a little bit early
(37:25):
and just kind of like get inthat little queue because before
registration.
You can sit there and look atit and it stays you until time
opens.
Yes so what do you do?
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Um, I try to plan a run that morning for the record,
just because I feel like it'llgive me like good juju, like for
the registration day, and giveme, put me in the right.
You have to bring your patients, you have to pack your patients
and you have to pack your Zen,and the best way of doing that
for me is to have a little bitof an early morning run.
But then, as same as you, Ilike to get set up early.
(38:00):
I do block my schedule.
I usually like my iPad and myphone, um, and I usually try to
use a couple of differentbrowsers.
I actually have tried to uselike, use like the Safari
browser on my phone.
So that's, it's just, it's goto default and then I'll use the
Chrome browser on my iPad.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
Now, I know folks talk about how, like they have
like a preference, do you have apreference with your browser?
I think I've always used Safarifor my registrations and it's
worked well for me.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Used Safari for my registrations and it's worked
well for me.
Um, and that's like just whatI've stuck with.
Yeah, now I know that too.
People will talk about usingmultiple devices, and they have
a laptop and a desktop and aniPad and an iPhone and like two
or three other different devices.
Do you find that that works foryou or do you find that a
little overwhelming?
What do you have?
What is your personal opinionon the multiple devices?
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Yeah, I don't think it's ever worked for me.
If I've logged into something alittle bit later than the
others, it is truly later in theline than the others.
It's too much to kind ofcoordinate.
At the most I'll do is like toone on my phone, one on my iPad,
because you're sitting theretrying to make sure your screen
doesn't dim and what is this oneout?
(39:15):
And what is that?
Speaker 1 (39:15):
Right.
Right, I mean, and let's behonest, we need a device to be
able to text each other as well,because let's, there's lots of
that going on on Disney racemornings texting folks to find
out where they're at in thequeue and just to reassure
themselves, or popping ontosocial media.
So what else do you think isreally absolutely necessary to
(39:38):
prepare for run Disney morningor run Disney registration
morning?
Speaker 2 (39:42):
The most important part is having your payment
method ready, like knowing whatcard you're using.
Do you have it saved Like, isit pre-fill on your phone or
whatever device?
Is the card sitting in front ofyou?
Because we know again,technology does weird things and
sometimes that doesn't work.
So making sure how you'repaying for it is ready to go,
(40:05):
because if you can't pay for itand you're scrambling trying to
find that there's a good chance,you could lose it during that
process.
Speaker 1 (40:11):
Yeah, absolutely.
I think it's also important.
If you tend to have, like yourbank set up with security
measures where you have to kindof like text back a yes or
whatever the case may be, maybeyou have like a certain spending
limits on it.
You definitely want to makesure that you've either made
them aware or you have changedthe spending limits for that
specific morning, not becausewe're all trying to get your
(40:33):
credit card and buy our runDisney registrations, but
because you don't want anythingthat's going to hold you up as
an obstacle.
I think it's also reallyimportant is to don't get hung
up on all of the extras duringthat registration time, so
that's an opportunity topre-order your purchases to get
into your proof of time.
I wouldn't bother with any ofthat until actually you've
secured your registration.
(40:53):
The only other thing is likehave some of these things
already either memorized or in adocument that you can copy and
paste.
Like for me, emergency contactis something that I will just
copy and paste over reallyquickly, or anything that you
knew you're going to need duringsubmissions process.
I would definitely have thatready to go.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
Yeah, so anything of that alike is super, super
important.
But the most important thing, Ithink, is having your
confirmation, because if youdon't have that confirmation,
you're not registered.
So like I always make sure Ihave that screen and then
immediately go check my emailand refresh it, and refresh it
until I have that confirmationthat, yes, it went through,
(41:38):
because there's a chancesometimes that it doesn't go
through right um and peopleunfortunately have gone away and
thought they had registrationand they never did so.
So, make sure you have thatcharge, you have that email,
like.
Don't just rely on the webbrowser to say that you're
confirmed.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
Yes, absolutely agree , and don't even really rely
just on that pending chargeeither, because if you don't
have that confirmation that'scome through, so of course check
all of your folders and filtersand all of that, but if you
don't see it in your account, onyour own Disney account, or
have that confirmation emailcome through, um, it's really
important that you either logback into double check or start
(42:18):
reaching out to the run Disneycontact group, which, by the way
, on registration day, it'sgoing to be very difficult to
get through to them.
So I would try to do all ofthose steps that Ashley just
said screenshot and save thoseconfirmations.
I think the very next importantthing that people need to take
into consideration and Iactually kind of wonder if they
should do it even before theyregister is to maybe get set up
(42:43):
with those accommodations.
What do you think?
Speaker 2 (42:46):
I have some people do both.
I typically will do my travelor rather my hotel
accommodations pre-registration,to make sure I have something
that's the lovely part aboutstaying on property with Disney.
When you book a hotel package,it's only $200 for the deposit
(43:08):
to get that room secured andit's yours.
but you can also cancel it andget that money back, as long as
you cancel more than 30 daysbefore check-in well, that's
good to know you book it withthe 200, you try to get in and
unfortunately don't get a biband you don't want to go through
the charity route, then you canget that back.
(43:30):
So it's not like you're dead inthe water trying to scramble
around for hotels, becausehotels tend to start selling out
.
We typically see the morepopular hotels sell out first.
I know Port Orleans FrenchQuarter is a popular resort for
runners, riverside and some oftheir Royal state rooms, um, or
(43:52):
Royal state rooms, royal rooms,um, tend to sell out.
And then we do see a popcentury typically go next, um,
as well as like the all-starsand whatnot.
So definitely make sure you getthe hotels secured, I would say
before, in my personal opinion,so that way you're not running
around scrambling and fightingwith everybody else.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
So, friends, what you're basically hearing is that
we've got registration comingup.
If you're listening to thisbefore registration day for all
of the extra tips, this isprobably the perfect time for
you to go ahead and use thatlink in episode notes to reach
out to Ashley to have her helpyou get these hotels booked,
have her get your actual trip inthe works so that when you do
(44:35):
secure your bib, you're able tokind of just know that you've
got all of those reallyimportant details, like where
you're staying, in your race bib.
Those are the most essential,and then you can work with
Ashley on the next steps ofplanning out the entire trip.
I think those are superessential to make sure that you
have as less of a stressfulprocess as possible when
registering for Run Disney.
(44:55):
Now I will also say that,friends, while you may not
necessarily need to starttraining for springtime right
now when you register because wedo register so far ahead if you
do want personalized trainingguidance, I'm going to ask you
to hop on over to the episodelinks and to use my form to jump
onto my one-on-one coachingwaitlist Because, again, you
want to feel your best for thatrace weekend.
Speaker 2 (45:20):
And you definitely want to pick coach Christine.
She is tried and true.
She is a little magical wizardwaving her wand at you, for lack
of a better word.
She's our fairy godmother.
She is always there when youhave a question, have self doubt
anything.
Christine is definitely thecoach that you want because she
(45:40):
is always on the runner side.
We have such a blast at any ofthese race weekends and any.
Any event that we are allinvolved in is always fabulous
when you have coach Christinethere.
Speaker 1 (45:53):
Oh, I so appreciate that.
I mean, at the end of the day,I want to reiterate to guys
whoever you choose to train withis fine.
Whoever you choose to book yourtravel with Ashley, it will say
the same thing.
We totally understand.
But Ashley and I are run Disneyrunners.
We are really big Disney fansaficionados, so we definitely
are there to help navigate thatworld.
That is a little overwhelmingfor first timers, for 10 timers
(46:17):
I mean.
It changes from Run Disneyweekend to weekend within the
season.
The registration process we'veseen it change over the years as
well.
So again, if you want someoneto help kind of guide you
through all of those changes,that's where we both come into
play.
But I will say there issomething super important to
take into consideration.
If, by any chance, you do notsnag that Run Disney
(46:40):
registration on the 29th, don'tlose hope.
There's still other fantasticways to still get in, and my
personal favorite is how I metAshley in the first place is
through charity bib options.
Um, so do you want to tell us alittle bit about charity bibs,
ashley, since I know that youhave navigated that way of
(47:02):
racing your runs as well?
Speaker 2 (47:04):
Yeah, charity bibs are a great way to do some good
in the world, um, and also dothe race that you wanted to.
That's how I uh successfullycompleted the perfect season.
Did not do it just by luck ofthe draw.
Um, some of them weredefinitely just charity bibs
because I didn't want to dealwith the stress of registration
(47:25):
day.
Um, because that's what ruinedmy first attempt at it.
I was not getting in for dopey,so, um, definitely check out
the run Disney website.
There is a charity partnerspage, uh, that you can see all
of the uh charities that areassociated with run Disney.
Um, make sure you're not goingout to some random website
(47:48):
trying to get them because, yeah, runney does have to authorize
them as a true charity partner.
So make sure you check thatpage out, reach out to them and
get on lists if they have them.
Some of them are open, I think,now for bibs for springtime
surprise so that you can getaccess to that see kind of like
(48:10):
their fundraising goals for thedifferent levels.
But it's a great way, um, andyou meet a lot of awesome people
, hence how I met coachChristine.
But a lot of them have supportgroups, fundraising assistance.
You know, they are really thereto support you as much as you're
supporting them.
So it's a great way to dosomething and give a little bit
(48:32):
back, to also gain some time foryourself.
Speaker 1 (48:36):
Yeah, absolutely.
We have some favorites of thepodcast, but all of the
charities that are partneredwith the friend Disney are
fantastic, so I can't speakhighly enough of those.
With that said, there have beensome really great tips.
We know that we're justscratching the surface because
this process can be superoverwhelming.
So if you want more details, ifyou have specific questions
(48:57):
that you want to reach out toeither of us for, use those
links in our episode notes.
We're here to help you navigatethe entire process.
Again, we also set upcommunications with folks that
are registering these generalregistration days to kind of
just be able to bounce back anyquestions that may come up
during that registration processas well.
So we're happy to help.
I want to thank you, ashley,for every aspect of helping
(49:20):
people to navigate the traveland accommodations and all the
run Disney world, even thecharity questions that you help
answer, because I do know that,again, it takes a village to be
able to run Disney and it takesa village of having that great
support through the entireprocess.
So thank you so much.
Absolutely Thank you for havingme.
Well, my friends, that is anofficial wrap for today's
(49:42):
episode of Extraordinary Strides.
A huge thank you again toAshley and Cole for sharing
their incredible engagementstory and to Ashley for her
amazing insights and insidertips on those REM Disney
registrations.
Again, if you're ready to makeyour next race weekend the most
magical yet, be sure to connectwith Ashley for your travel
needs or join my wait list forpersonalized training.
All of those links are providedin the episode notes or you can
(50:04):
join us over at the stridecollective community.
Now I want to wish you the verybest of luck securing your
registration.
I want to ask you to keepchasing those dreams and I want
to thank you for joining us heretoday.
Until next time.
I'm Coach Christine and I'mwishing you magical miles and
extraordinary strides.
Hey friends, welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the
podcast designed to help youchase your dreams one stride at
a time.
I'm your host, coach Christine,and today we have a very special
episode for all the runners andromantics out there.
We're going to kick things offwith an unforgettable love story
featuring not just lovebirds,but also besties, ashley and
(00:23):
Cole, who got engaged at RunDisney's Magical Springtime
Surprise weekend earlier thisyear.
However, after we get to heartheir love story, we're also
going to want you to stickaround, because Ashley and I are
going to share our best insidertips and strategies for
successfully scoring yourregistration and spot at 2026
(00:46):
Run Disney Springtime SurpriseWeekend, because registration is
a common, my friends and weknow you want to get your hands
on those tickets, along withchasing some miles with your own
besties.
So lace up, settle in and let'sdive into this magical journey
together.
Let's welcome our specialguests.
We have Ashley, our friend andofficial travel advisor from
(01:08):
Mystical Dream Travel, and hernow fiance, cole, who recently
had a magical race day proposalat Ren Disney's Springtime
Surprise weekend.
Ashley and Cole, welcome backto Extraordinary Strides, thank
you for having us.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, thank you.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
I'm so excited because we got a chance to speak
to you guys before SpringtimeSurprise and it's been a little
bit of time, but well, a lot hashappened since then.
So, Ashley, before we get toofar into it, let's go ahead and
remind our listeners who you are, what you do with Mystical
Dream Travel and how you helpall of our extraordinary strides
listeners with their fabuloustravel plans, and a little bit
(01:49):
about both of y'all's runningjourney.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, so, um, I have been working in the travel
industry for about three yearsnow.
Just started because I was uhreally just enjoyed traveling.
People were asking me abouttravel already, so just kind of
like felt it was right to helpeverybody officially.
So I'm certified in severaldifferent areas cruise lines,
(02:16):
disney, universal.
Now, like European travel a lotof fun stuff there happening.
So always follow along on mysocial media pages.
I'm on Instagram and Facebookand I'm sure Christine will link
those, so if anybody needsanything help upcoming, I'm
(02:37):
happy to help.
All of my services arecomplimentary, so if you choose
to work with me, that kind ofplanning and concierge service
is always included.
Um, and then met coat Christine.
Uh, what was it?
It's now springtime surprise.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Yeah, springtime is a big one for us.
Like, it has a lot of specialmeaning for everybody here on on
the microphone today.
Um, yeah, and then your runningjourney has just been
incredible to watch.
Um, yeah, and then your runningjourney has just been
incredible to watch.
Yeah, there's been a lot ofmiles since then.
There have been a perfectseason and, of course, a super
magical proposal, which bringsus to cole.
Who cole just got his greatopportunity of running run
(03:17):
disney at springtime surprise.
So, cole, what'd you think?
Did you like?
Like it?
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Uh, yeah, it was.
It was definitely entertaining.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Okay, um, but that particular race day was a
different one for you becauseyou had a whole other layer
besides just running the race.
So can you maybe give us ascoop a little bit of how that
springtime surprise weekend wasfrom your perspective?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
It was stressful Okay .
Speaker 1 (03:56):
Just a little bit.
Tell us a little bit why.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Well, I had plans to propose to Ashley.
At least I had plans in my head.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
But I had to make sure that the ring showed up
before I left, but after sheleft.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Ooh, which is tough.
So Ashley came out for theentire Springtime Surprise
Challenge weekend, so she left afew days before you.
You were coming outspecifically for the 10-miler
right Cole.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Okay, so you had like a three-day, if even.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Okay.
So yeah, that that right out ofthe gate is kind of stressful.
So how did that work out?
Speaker 3 (04:32):
It actually worked out good.
It it?
I think I got the ring on theday she actually left, so I got
it with plenty of time.
That worked out good.
Speaker 1 (04:43):
Okay, okay, okay.
So we had a little pixie dustto help us with that aspect and
then, um, I I assume there's alot of different facets with
then you have to travel with thering, you have to hide the ring
while you guys are together, um, and then of course, you still
have to get prepared for yourrace and all of that.
So how did that all work out?
Speaker 3 (05:03):
Yeah, I had.
I had the ring in my backpacksafe and sound, didn't leave my
view at all.
I had it with me essentially atall times and I had to make
sure it was hidden in there wellenough that she, if she went
prying, she wouldn't have foundit.
So it was deep down into apocket.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
That leads me naturally to the next question
how in the world did you manageto plan this proposal and keep
it hidden from Ashley?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
I had a couple of different ideas going into the
weekend on what I could do,ideas going into the weekend on
on what I could do.
Um, when we got to our room, uh, our, it was both of our last
names on the screen, like thewelcome, welcome screen.
And I thought, well, maybe if Iwant to do it just by our, by
ourselves, I'll just set myphone up to record and have them
(06:02):
change the welcome screen tojust my last name.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Okay, that's a good one.
So I have to ask what made youdecide like what was the final
decision of I'm going to makethis more of a public proposal
versus a private proposal, ordid you have any idea how that
was going to roll out into likethe very last minute?
Speaker 3 (06:25):
uh, honestly it I felt like, uh, she would love to
tell people that she gotproposed to after the the 10
miler at springtime.
I I thought that she woulddefinitely enjoy that and I I
was more worried about the crowdaround us than actually asking
(06:48):
her.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
Oh, I could see that.
I mean because it is, it's.
It is something where you knowthat there's going to be folks
around.
They're going to kind of gawkor ooh and a little bit.
So I have to ask now, ashley,did he get it right?
Did you really prefer, likethat finish line proposal?
Is that what your heart wanted?
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, I think either one of them were like great
ideas, you know, so it's.
It's always now going to bespecial.
That Springtime Surprise was myfirst ever run Disney race, the
first long distance race that Igot to share with somebody.
I know my mom ran prior with mebut the 10 miler kind of with
(07:33):
me, even though he left me.
But now adding things to do.
This is a celebration too.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
So did you have any inkling?
Did you have an idea at all?
Speaker 2 (07:45):
I did because he's terrible at hiding things Just
for the record.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
we don't really want, like our significant others, to
be fantastic at hiding things,by the way.
So OK, so you kind of had ageneral idea.
Yeah, ok, cole, did you kind of?
Did you know that, or are youlearning that right now?
Speaker 3 (08:04):
cole did you kind of do you, did you know that or are
you learning that right now?
Speaker 1 (08:06):
oh no, I, I she knew well in advance that it was
going to happen eventuallysometime not maybe not
necessarily at springtime, butdefinitely sometime in the near
future got it and of course youknow, we know, um or folks, if
you guys remember back to ourprevious conversations with Cole
and Ashley, that Disney,specifically Ren Disney, has a
(08:29):
really special place in herheart.
So it makes sense that, Cole,you would want to pop the
question there.
I'm curious you tell us thestory because I guess we kind of
we've started to paint thepicture a little bit.
Ashley and you start the 10miler together.
Is that when you decide I'mgoing to like run to the finish
(08:49):
line and propose to her there?
Did you think of like askingher on the course at some point
at the start line?
Tell us kind of like whatyou're thinking through that
entire process.
Speaker 3 (08:57):
Well, the first thing was getting the ring to the
starting line, which was notdifficult, but it was more nerve
wracking to make sure that Ihad it at all times, constantly
checking my pocket.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Okay, I have to ask real quick Were you scared to
use the Porto Potty before therace?
With the ring A little bit,because I'd be terrified.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
Okay, a little bit.
Okay.
Okay, well, good, we just wegot that out of there, so we
know that there was.
I mean truly.
So, folks, again, if you havenot done RIMDISI, we're getting
there super early.
I don't know about you, cole,but specifically I'm not
necessarily thinking on firingon all cylinders that early
anyway and then having thatextra valuable piece on me and
(09:42):
being a little nervous about theamount of time we're waiting.
So you're not nervous aboutrunning with it, you're just
nervous about having it on yourperson before the race, or are
you nervous?
Speaker 3 (09:51):
about the whole thing .
I was nervous about the wholething.
I I thought it might beinappropriate to try to propose
on the course, given that youknow there's people running.
Um, so that was definitelydefinitely a and uh.
As much as ashley uh isfrustrated by I am much faster
(10:11):
than her.
I cannot run the distance thatshe does, but I am.
I am much faster than her.
So, uh, I knew I was gonnafinish ahead of Okay, but I
didn't know how far ahead, so Iwasn't going to just like stop
at the finish line Because,again, inappropriate, not really
the place to do that If she wasright behind me maybe I would
(10:34):
have done that Right.
So I was like, well, the nextbest place is in the parking lot
after the race Around.
You know her friends and peoplethat she's gotten to know over
the years from doing Run Disneyand you know just Disney people
in general.
So the plan was to do itafterwards.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Okay.
So, friends, it's the finishersreunion area and Run Disney,
like most big races, will havethe finish line, which, by the
way, cole, cole, major kudos.
You're absolutely right, Ithink, from a conscientious
standpoint, while it's a reallypowerful, poignant moment for
you guys, everybody else is alsowanting to have their own
finish line experience.
I think you're absolutely deadon right of not interrupting the
(11:18):
flow of other runners.
So there's the finish line andthen, um, run Disney has you
going through a really longshoot.
You pick up some of your postrace refreshments, your metal,
um, I would say probably, atleast would you guys say like a
quarter to half a mile of thatfinish line shoot until you get
out into the reunion area.
It feels, it feels more of whenyou're there that morning.
(11:38):
Yeah, yeah.
It's like when are we gettingout of here?
Um, and then everybody kind ofconvenes at the reunions the
runners reunion area, and that'swhere you would meet up with
family and friends, and it'sactually a very festive
environment because there's a DJ, they've got photo
opportunities.
It's really fun.
I actually love that part of itbecause we get to connect with
(11:59):
folks.
So I think at that point I'malmost positive.
Paul, you were one of the firstfolks to finish, right, I think
you may have been there waitingfor all of us, or was I?
I don't remember if I was there, but I do remember that you
were pretty.
You were definitely quite fastin your, in your finish time.
Um, so then, what's goingthrough your head as to?
(12:20):
Are you tracking Ashley?
How are you knowing, like, whenshe's going to come through
into that finish line shoot?
Speaker 3 (12:27):
well, we have to talk about the best part, the fact
that I ran all 10 miles of thatrace with her ring on my pinky,
and you can see it in all of thepictures shut the front door.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
We can.
We can see it in the pictures.
I don't think I've noticed.
Ashley, have you posted thesephotos?
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Yeah, it's very visible on his finger.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Oh, my goodness, that's amazing.
Now I want to go to her profileand like zoom in really quickly
.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
Um, okay, he should have posed with it.
It would have been veryhysterical.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
So did you realize that that was going to happen,
cole?
Or you just don't care?
You just figure my pinky isgoing to be safe because it
won't fall off of it and that'sa good place for me to run with
it.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
I had a death grip on my phone and my wallet to make
sure that ring stayed on thatentire 10 miles.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
Can I just say I think you caused yourself a
whole lot of stress for thisspecific race, my friend.
I mean that seems like for 10miles.
You had a lot of additionalstressors for it, no doubt about
it.
So that is I love that.
I love that you were so focusedon it so you run the full 10
miles.
It sounds like you wouldn'tadvise folks for doing that,
(13:39):
though, would you?
Or if they were, how would they?
Would you suggest that that'sactually the best way of doing
it?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
I don't know.
I thought it was the best wayat the time.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Okay, I feel like what else could there be?
You don't want to put it inyour pocket?
Um, that really makes sense tome.
So at what point does it startto click to you that it's
becoming more and more realshe's going to be coming through
the finish line shoe, or areyou tracking her like?
Tell me what's going throughyour mind at this process where,
like, you're getting closer toactually proposing?
Speaker 3 (14:12):
so I I was tracking her.
Uh, I believe, I believe youwere tracking her on the disney
run, disney uh page website,whatever it is.
But I was tracking her becausewe share location.
I was tracking her on my phone.
This is part of the reason weshare location.
So I was tracking her on myphone and got to tell when she
(14:32):
was getting close and I startedto get a little nervous about it
and I think I turned to you andasked if you were going to
record it.
Speaker 1 (14:42):
Which I was incredibly anxious about for the
record.
So I think next time we need toget the if this happens ever in
the future, I'm going tosuggest that we get a Disney
photo pass videographer orsomething of the sort, cause I
was like this incredibly specialmoment, but I think at this
point there was a couple ofhelpers um, right, because it
was myself, and Kristen, anotherfriend of extraordinary strides
(15:04):
.
Ashley, you're on the courseactually with Christina, right,
so you're just living your bestlife.
We had a blast.
Speaker 2 (15:12):
You have zero stress.
Speaker 1 (15:14):
Meanwhile, cole's been stressing for like 72 hours
throughout this entire process.
Talk about the love that he hasfor you.
Okay.
So, cole, you're getting alittle anxious, though.
We're starting to track her.
We know she's coming through,we're still not a hundred
percent sure of when she's goingto, from crossing that finish
line, getting through the shootto the reunions area.
What are you thinking at thatpoint, like what's going through
(15:35):
your mind?
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Uh, first thing was was, once she comes through,
just getting eyes on her andmaking sure we find her, we, we
find each other, essentially andand just making sure that you
know there's there's no issues,making sure she's okay, you know
, everything like that.
And then, uh, it was prettyeasy to find her.
She was wearing a flag in hervisor, so that was that made it
(15:59):
really easy to find her.
Um, but then it was the nervesof everybody around too, of like
, oh, I got to do this in frontof everybody.
Speaker 1 (16:11):
Yes, literally everybody.
I think I remember Kristensaying that like, well, you need
to be prepared, the people aregoing to definitely circle
around and kind of watch.
I don't know if that helped ornot, but I do recall her saying
that kind of watch.
I don't know if that helped ornot, but I do recall her saying
that Ashley, you're finishing up, You're having your best 10
(16:31):
miles ever.
You just joked your way throughit with Christina.
Are you thinking is it going tohappen?
Is this potentially happeninghere?
What's going through your mind?
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Oh, most definitely.
I did not think it was going tohappen there.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Are you excited to know that he's finished and
you're going to be seeing himsoon and reuniting with him
after he did his first runDisney 10 miler yeah, so we kind
of took our time like gettingthrough the finish line shoot.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Christina saw her family right after the finish in
the stands there.
We got all of our stuff, walkedalong and as we come out of the
area, coming between the gearcheck trucks to officially kind
of enter in that reunion area.
Um, I looked at Christina.
I was like we need to like hootand holler and be as loud as we
(17:15):
can because it's going toembarrass him that he did his
first run Disney race.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Oh, we did.
So you're congratulating himfor his incredible first run
Disney race.
Meanwhile, he wants to likehe's trying to figure out how to
make this happen with the leastamount of eyes on the entire
proposal.
When did it click to you thathe was going to propose, or that
he was proposing?
Not until literally like asit's happening.
(17:41):
Cole, at any point are youthinking she might say no?
Speaker 3 (17:45):
No.
Speaker 1 (17:50):
That was not a concern whatsoever.
Okay, are you thinking, though,like what do I say?
What's kind of going throughyour mind as you're actually
saying the like, proposing thebig question?
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Well, she came to me a little quicker than what I was
expecting because I wasplanning to be down on one knee
and ready for her.
But she, she came up reallyfast and hugged me and we kissed
and then I was just showed herthe ring and asked her do you
want to get married?
Speaker 1 (18:20):
And Ashley.
Of course, he said yes, that'swhy we're here.
If not, it'd be a very awkwardconversation to have you both in
the same podcast, but at thispoint it's.
It's actually happening.
What's going through your mind,um?
Speaker 2 (18:35):
just excitement.
Um, cause we, if we had talkedabout it and obviously knew it
was coming at some point, justwasn't really wasn't expecting
it at that moment.
Um, because coming into thatmorning I was like oh, maybe.
And then we got there and I waslike there's no way like that
it's happening today because howis he gonna run with the ring?
Speaker 1 (18:55):
like it's just not going to work, right?
Yeah, so I was not expectinganything.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
So when it finally kind of happened, I was like, oh
my gosh.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
Super exciting.
So I mean I think so manythings went right.
For the record, cole, givingyou tons of kudos because I
think this was not easy to pulloff by any strict imagination
I'm curious what you guys thinkwent like.
What was it that you feel likewas the most perfect aspect of
how it went down?
And by that I mean likelogistically, cole, what would
you say you would definitely, orwhat you would suggest somebody
(19:29):
else who's considering it totake into consideration or to do
?
Speaker 3 (19:35):
I would never run with the ring again.
I would find somebody that'sgoing to be at the finish line
to hold it Somebody trustworthy.
Speaker 1 (19:43):
Seriously like.
Who would it have been?
I don't know who we would havehad at the very like most of the
people there were running.
So really, who would we havehad?
Speaker 3 (19:52):
I don't know, but that was the most stressful 10
miles.
I know I feel so bad for you.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
My heart literally feels bad for you, because I can
only imagine Okay, so you wouldsuggest to folks don't run with
something valuable.
That's actually the whole, likethe whole shebang for the
proposal.
What do you think you didreally well, though, that you
would advise others to consider?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
I think doing it around a group of people
honestly was cool.
Just to have you know peoplewere clapping, you know people
that we don't know clapping andsaying congratulations, which
wasn't the idea.
Again, I had a plan to do it inprivate, but I think just the
whole atmosphere everybody'spretty positive at that point.
(20:39):
You know everybody justfinished running 10 miles.
You know we're all excitedabout it, so I think that was
definitely, uh, probably I'd saythat's the best part of my
entire plan was doing it, when Idid it and how I did it.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
I love it.
I mean, honestly, I think, somany things that you did really
well for the record in terms ofdoing it at the reunion area, in
an area that is safe you don'thave to worry about runners
running past you or into you orhaving an issue in that regard.
The fact that you did it with agroup of people who are near
and dear to Ashley's heart, thatshe's met through the run
Disney life um, I think theentire thing was just absolutely
(21:18):
beautiful to be able to witness, absolutely amazing, actually.
What would you say that youwould suggest to folks that are
considering this kind ofproposal?
Speaker 2 (21:28):
oh boy, um, I don't know.
I mean, like you said,everything really was like
perfect, like yeah, either way,like a private proposal would
have been nice too, but it wasreally nice doing it with, like,
(21:48):
my people there you know, I run.
dis Disney is obviously a bigpart of my life.
A lot of my friends were therethat we were running with Um, so
I w I was really happy to beable to share that with
everybody.
Um, because I had been waiting.
Um, I don't know.
(22:08):
Um, I don't know, I don't know.
I think um my best piece ofadvice to to contradict Cole if
you run with a ring, like dofunny photo, pass pictures,
because that would have like Iwould have died seeing some of
(22:29):
those.
I also still like he passed youat some point and you're both
in a picture together and haveno idea.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
Neither one of us.
Yes, yes, that is, that isabsolutely true.
So I don't I mean, and the ringwas in that picture, it was.
I'm going to have to go backand look at my Disney photo pass
now.
Ok, so long story short.
Folks, it's two o'clock in themorning.
The man did not lose the ring.
He proposed to her.
It was beautiful.
This is as good as it gets Ifwe're going to do a proposal at
(22:58):
Run Disney.
I honestly think, cole, you dida fantastic job.
So many things could have gonewrong and because you did plan
as well as you did, because youwere so protective over that
ring, I think it went throughsuper flawlessly.
Which, of course, leads me tohow did you guys celebrate
afterwards?
Cause it has to be superexciting still at that point.
And and also, mondo, kudos toCole and Ashley, because, while
(23:20):
it was a very big moment forthem, they still took time to
congratulate other runners,other friends.
They were still there formyriad of other different
celebrations and achievementsthat people were doing
throughout that entire raceweekend.
But how did you guys choose tocelebrate?
Maybe did you go have a specialbrunch?
Did you have specific Disneyparks that you hit up?
Speaker 2 (23:42):
I mean, we, we went to Disney.
You know what do you do whenyou win the Superbowl and you go
to Disney world.
So we went and had a normalvacation.
We went back and got showeredand ready to go and went over to
magic kingdom um for somepictures around there, like
classic in front of the castle,and we had one photo pass
(24:02):
photographer.
That was actually um part ofthe college program and we
submitted kudos to her for thecast compliment because she did
amazing, went out of her way andmade us a just engaged button
and really the pictures that wetook are actually on our wedding
invitations because they werejust great.
(24:24):
So went and did that and thenwent to build droids.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
There you go.
That's as fantastic as it gets.
So a couple things that kind ofcome to mind for friends that
are considering doing a big raceproposal if you're doing run
disney, because there are somany fantastic run disney photo
spots even there, like actuallyat the reunion area, um, I think
you guys did at some point makeyour way over to the disney
photo pass photographers there,um, to get some special shots
(24:53):
and, of course, taking advantageof being at the parks and the
PhotoPass photographers there aswell.
It seems like, again, just somany wonderful ways to celebrate
.
But any final advice thateither of you would have, like
Ashley, for somebody who'spotentially thinking they may
get proposed to after a racelike would you say, like, put a
(25:14):
flag in your visor so they canfind you relatively easily.
Like what would you suggest?
Get your nails done.
Tell me, tell me what kind ofadvice you guys would give
people.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
I mean definitely have your nails done, but the
flag, just that was probably thefunniest.
But that was definitely likehands down, probably the
funniest like Disney bound thatI've done, because even
throughout the race like thatwas definitely like hands down,
probably the funniest likeDisney bound that I've done,
because even throughout the racelike that thing came in handy.
So it's funny that even throughthe reunion areas how he
(25:43):
ultimately was able to see you.
Speaker 1 (25:45):
Yeah, yeah and Cole, any like words of advice that
you would have or any thingsthat you think that we should
know from that experience?
Speaker 3 (25:56):
um, like I said, uh, if you're gonna run with the
ring, just make sure it issecure, make sure you're not
gonna lose it.
Um, I'd say, make sure you'rein a, a nice area, that if you
have somebody recording youdon't have the porta potties
like in the background, likeright next to you, or uh, you
(26:20):
know anything like that.
That.
That could have been just notbad.
But you know, just when youlook back at the picture, you
just you're not the happiestwith yourself.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
It would have been a little stinky too, so that's
always not fun but my advice isjust do it.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
And I think the reunion area is the best place.
Unless you are at an even pacewith your partner.
Then I say maybe somewhere onthe course that is not as
crowded and has plenty of room.
But because again, I was alittle quicker, it worked out
(27:01):
really well that I was able tohave time to kind of set up plan
in my head and make sure youknow everything should go okay.
But yeah, my best advice isjust just do it.
If you're thinking about it,just do it.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
So get past the nerves of folks kind of watching
or gawking and just kind ofembrace the moment and make it
happen.
Make the magic happen Okay.
I love that Well, I want tothank you guys so much and I do
want to also thank you forletting us share letting myself
and others within the traininggroup share in on your really
magical special moment.
(27:35):
It was seriously soheartwarming and so beautiful to
see you guys decide to moveforward in that way, and we wish
you the very, very best as youcontinue to plan on your wedding
and can't wait to see you guysagain for a future run Disney
race.
So, cole, thank you for sharingyour extraordinary moment with
us.
Ashley, I need you to stickaround, my friend, because we've
got more information to sharefor the listeners.
(27:57):
So, cole, thank you.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
All right, friends, I can't stress enough how special
that springtime surpriseweekend was.
But with all the magic that is,all things from Disney, and
whether or not folks areplanning on getting engaged at
the finish line, the very firstthing that has to be planned is
scoring that magic registration,which is akin to a golden
ticket and with a new springtimesurprise 2026 themes out.
(28:21):
Well, we know that it's goingto sell out very quickly,
probably a little faster thanyou can even say pixie dust.
So let's break down exactly howlisteners can snag their spots,
because Ashley and I maybe knowa thing or two about
registering for Run Disney, andwe do know that Club Run Disney
can score their registration afull week ahead of general
(28:43):
registration.
But for the sake of thispodcast, this information, we're
going to focus on mere mortalsthat have to play the Hunger
Games during generalregistration.
So let's get to it.
Let's chat all thingsspringtime surprise.
It is a very special weekendfor us, isn't it Ashley?
It really is.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
That's, like I said, was my start into run Disney.
That's how we met.
There's so many wonderfulthings that come out of
Springtime Surprise and it'ssuch a nice distance weekend.
It's not the chaos of all theother ones.
It has a really unique vibe.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
That's just laid back it is, seriously, it's probably
my favorite weekend because Imean I feel like there's a great
buzz with Wine and Dine withthe kickoff of the season.
But Marathon Weekend can feel alittle bit overwhelming.
Princess is definitelyoverwhelming and spring time
surprise just feels a little bitmore laid back.
(29:35):
So it's got so many greatthings.
And then I love these themes.
So tell me what themes are like.
Calling to you, girlfriend, ohthey all are, but like, let's
start.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
5k kick off to everything is utopia.
So we got judy hops and NickWilde in there, so it's going to
be so much fun.
I really, really, really hopethat they have Giselle like
songs all over the course.
Speaker 1 (30:00):
You know they will.
Yeah, I mean come on Like.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Epcot needs to be a dance party for this
specifically.
Speaker 1 (30:05):
I cannot wait specifically for that as well.
I think what I love and weshould definitely pull it back a
little bit is that this is allabout besties.
They're themed all aboutfriendship and besties and
that's what I feel springtimesurprise does bring that vibe
anyway, because people haveconnected or met throughout the
run Disney season and they'reable to go back and kind of
reunite with all of their bestfriends.
(30:26):
So I'm excited about Zootopiafor sure.
Um, I think that the 10k themewinnie the pooh and all of our
favorite pals from 100 acrewoods I can already imagine the
cute costumes run disney can aswell, because they're asking
everybody to wear pants.
Um, also, it seems like thatone might be a super popular one
(30:48):
.
Speaker 2 (30:49):
I know, I know it's gonna be so much fun um it, I
can.
I can only imagine the costumesand I'm very glad that run
Disney put that littledisclaimer out there to please
wear pants, because people wereliterally losing their poo over
it yeah, yeah, we don't reallywant to see that, yeah but let's
(31:10):
not forget about the 10 miler.
Now, christine, I think we kindof like put this out into the
universe, because last year'sspringtime surprise we talked
about the emotions.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
Yeah, and we talked about how this was what we
wanted to do regardless.
So now that it's going to bethe 10 miler with Inside Out, I
have to ask which character doyou really want to dress up as?
Oh, my Lord, I don't rememberwhat we said.
Well, it's not what we said.
What would you want If yourheart could choose?
We will play for the sake ofthe team and whatever the team
(31:41):
decides, but what really iscalling to you If you could
bound for the 10 miler?
As one of the inside outemotions?
Who speaks to you?
Who do you resonate most with?
Speaker 2 (31:55):
I don't know out emotions, who?
Who speaks to you?
Who do you resonate most with?
I'm lonely.
There's so many.
I'm trying to think of all ofthem and like which one I fit in
best with.
Speaker 1 (32:03):
I love that, like inside out is a run Disney race
weekend, like from every aspectof it you feel all of those
emotions it really is.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
I mean, if I had to pick one, oh gosh, I mean, joy
is definitely something I'mdefinitely not like anger there
is no anger, um.
But then they have so many newemotions with inside out too
(32:34):
that like I don't know, I mean,I think it's probably gonna be.
Joy is the most that I resonatewith.
Um, I just like to always belike happy and yeah, bouncing
around.
(32:54):
You know, I could also do alittle bit of of anxiety, like
when you're walking into a newsituation but, like immediately.
Joy is your top favorite list,yeah.
Speaker 3 (33:05):
How about you.
Speaker 1 (33:07):
Oh man, I love all the emotions.
What I love about Inside Out isthat literally they talk about
the fact that, like there is noreal bad emotion.
So you could choose any of themand absolutely enjoy that
weekend to its fullest.
But I do love Disgust.
Has a little bit of like apanache with her outfit that I
would love, and Ennui just makesme giggle.
I could never pull it off, butI would love Ennui as well.
(33:28):
But with that, of course, thechallenge theme is going to be
Aladdin and Jeannie, which ispositively perfect because those
are best buds for sure andthat's such a great way to tie
together that whole weekend ofracing.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Absolutely.
And then we have Ohana for you.
Speaker 1 (33:47):
So I have to ask are you going to do it?
Speaker 2 (33:49):
Oh, I don't know.
I feel like I need to do it.
Oh, I don't know, I I feel likeI need to.
I'm trying to convince my momto come down and I think once
she finally learns the um themes, I think she's probably gonna
do this one, because she reallyloves Lilo and Stitch and we saw
the new movie and it's so sodid you cry?
Speaker 1 (34:09):
I bawled.
I bawled with the like animatedone back in the day and I
bawled the new live action one.
I just bawled, yeah.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
So sweet.
It's a really great wrap up ofthe weekend because this is
still on Monday.
Speaker 1 (34:26):
Yeah.
So let's talk a little bitabout that before we get into
registration.
Registration is going to be andwhat we're going to talk about
registration and how to registerthrough general registration
will apply across the board, Um,unless if run Disney changes
something which could alwayshappen.
But as of right now, we'regoing to use the best tips.
But before we get into that,let's talk about run Disney.
Springtime surprise weekend isright now slated for April 16th
(34:49):
through the 20th, which includesthat 5k, the 10K, 5K on Friday,
10K on Saturday, 10 miler onSunday, and yoga is on Mondays
Generally.
Traditionally is kind of howthey always roll through that,
and that seems to be the casefor this as well.
Again, Expo.
So we're going to advise thatif you are planning for that run
(35:10):
Disney weekend, do know thatyou're likely going to want to
go experience all things, expo,um, the very first day, and
that's usually held on theThursday before the race kicks
off.
All those details can be foundat run Disney.
But now we are going to getinto what it takes to actually
score that golden ticket,because I do think this race is
going to be super popular basedoff those themes.
(35:31):
So kick it off for me, Ashley,what would you say?
Just that people really beprepared for?
Speaker 2 (35:38):
So the first things first, always, always, always,
create a run Disney account Ifyou don't have one already.
If you do have one, make sureit's up to date with any of your
current information, addresschange.
Anything that you can think ofthat needs to be in there.
Even if you think it's up todate, go in and check it,
(36:00):
because you don't want to bescrambling when the
registration's live and thingssell out as you're checking out,
sometimes, unfortunately.
So make sure that's all inthere.
Speaker 1 (36:11):
Yeah, absolutely, I would agree.
I think it's super important aswell that not only do you have
a run Disney account, that it'sall up to date, is to make sure
that you are also able to log in, because again, some people
forget their login details andthey're scrambling for that last
minute.
So mark it on your calendar.
(36:32):
Registration for SpringtimeSurprise 2026 is going to be
Tuesday, july 29th, at 10 amEastern time.
We highly recommend that youblock time on your schedule.
If you've got a lot of meetingsand you're going to try to just
casually log on around 10.05 or10 to 15 and see if you can
score, your registration likelyis not going to happen.
(36:54):
So what is your typicalregistration morning setup?
Walk me through.
How does Ashley register duringgeneral registration?
Speaker 2 (37:02):
So I always like to have my phone and, like my
laptop, set up usually about 20,15 minutes before registration
opens, just to make sure it's up, it's working, everything's
charged, there's no little bugsof like connecting to the
internet or something like that.
So I always make sure I havethose set up a little bit early
(37:25):
and just kind of like get inthat little queue because before
registration.
You can sit there and look atit and it stays you until time
opens.
Yes so what do you do?
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Um, I try to plan a run that morning for the record,
just because I feel like it'llgive me like good juju, like for
the registration day, and giveme, put me in the right.
You have to bring your patients, you have to pack your patients
and you have to pack your Zen,and the best way of doing that
for me is to have a little bitof an early morning run.
But then, as same as you, Ilike to get set up early.
(38:00):
I do block my schedule.
I usually like my iPad and myphone, um, and I usually try to
use a couple of differentbrowsers.
I actually have tried to uselike, use like the Safari
browser on my phone.
So that's, it's just, it's goto default and then I'll use the
Chrome browser on my iPad.
Speaker 2 (38:24):
Now, I know folks talk about how, like they have
like a preference, do you have apreference with your browser?
I think I've always used Safarifor my registrations and it's
worked well for me.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Used Safari for my registrations and it's worked
well for me.
Um, and that's like just whatI've stuck with.
Yeah, now I know that too.
People will talk about usingmultiple devices, and they have
a laptop and a desktop and aniPad and an iPhone and like two
or three other different devices.
Do you find that that works foryou or do you find that a
little overwhelming?
What do you have?
What is your personal opinionon the multiple devices?
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Yeah, I don't think it's ever worked for me.
If I've logged into something alittle bit later than the
others, it is truly later in theline than the others.
It's too much to kind ofcoordinate.
At the most I'll do is like toone on my phone, one on my iPad,
because you're sitting theretrying to make sure your screen
doesn't dim and what is this oneout?
(39:15):
And what is that?
Speaker 1 (39:15):
Right.
Right, I mean, and let's behonest, we need a device to be
able to text each other as well,because let's, there's lots of
that going on on Disney racemornings texting folks to find
out where they're at in thequeue and just to reassure
themselves, or popping ontosocial media.
So what else do you think isreally absolutely necessary to
(39:38):
prepare for run Disney morningor run Disney registration
morning?
Speaker 2 (39:42):
The most important part is having your payment
method ready, like knowing whatcard you're using.
Do you have it saved Like, isit pre-fill on your phone or
whatever device?
Is the card sitting in front ofyou?
Because we know again,technology does weird things and
sometimes that doesn't work.
So making sure how you'repaying for it is ready to go,
(40:05):
because if you can't pay for itand you're scrambling trying to
find that there's a good chance,you could lose it during that
process.
Speaker 1 (40:11):
Yeah, absolutely.
I think it's also important.
If you tend to have, like yourbank set up with security
measures where you have to kindof like text back a yes or
whatever the case may be, maybeyou have like a certain spending
limits on it.
You definitely want to makesure that you've either made
them aware or you have changedthe spending limits for that
specific morning, not becausewe're all trying to get your
(40:33):
credit card and buy our runDisney registrations, but
because you don't want anythingthat's going to hold you up as
an obstacle.
I think it's also reallyimportant is to don't get hung
up on all of the extras duringthat registration time, so
that's an opportunity topre-order your purchases to get
into your proof of time.
I wouldn't bother with any ofthat until actually you've
secured your registration.
(40:53):
The only other thing is likehave some of these things
already either memorized or in adocument that you can copy and
paste.
Like for me, emergency contactis something that I will just
copy and paste over reallyquickly, or anything that you
knew you're going to need duringsubmissions process.
I would definitely have thatready to go.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
Yeah, so anything of that alike is super, super
important.
But the most important thing, Ithink, is having your
confirmation, because if youdon't have that confirmation,
you're not registered.
So like I always make sure Ihave that screen and then
immediately go check my emailand refresh it, and refresh it
until I have that confirmationthat, yes, it went through,
(41:38):
because there's a chancesometimes that it doesn't go
through right um and peopleunfortunately have gone away and
thought they had registrationand they never did so.
So, make sure you have thatcharge, you have that email,
like.
Don't just rely on the webbrowser to say that you're
confirmed.
Speaker 1 (41:57):
Yes, absolutely agree , and don't even really rely
just on that pending chargeeither, because if you don't
have that confirmation that'scome through, so of course check
all of your folders and filtersand all of that, but if you
don't see it in your account, onyour own Disney account, or
have that confirmation emailcome through, um, it's really
important that you either logback into double check or start
(42:18):
reaching out to the run Disneycontact group, which, by the way
, on registration day, it'sgoing to be very difficult to
get through to them.
So I would try to do all ofthose steps that Ashley just
said screenshot and save thoseconfirmations.
I think the very next importantthing that people need to take
into consideration and Iactually kind of wonder if they
should do it even before theyregister is to maybe get set up
(42:43):
with those accommodations.
What do you think?
Speaker 2 (42:46):
I have some people do both.
I typically will do my travelor rather my hotel
accommodations pre-registration,to make sure I have something
that's the lovely part aboutstaying on property with Disney.
When you book a hotel package,it's only $200 for the deposit
(43:08):
to get that room secured andit's yours.
but you can also cancel it andget that money back, as long as
you cancel more than 30 daysbefore check-in well, that's
good to know you book it withthe 200, you try to get in and
unfortunately don't get a biband you don't want to go through
the charity route, then you canget that back.
(43:30):
So it's not like you're dead inthe water trying to scramble
around for hotels, becausehotels tend to start selling out
.
We typically see the morepopular hotels sell out first.
I know Port Orleans FrenchQuarter is a popular resort for
runners, riverside and some oftheir Royal state rooms, um, or
(43:52):
Royal state rooms, royal rooms,um, tend to sell out.
And then we do see a popcentury typically go next, um,
as well as like the all-starsand whatnot.
So definitely make sure you getthe hotels secured, I would say
before, in my personal opinion,so that way you're not running
around scrambling and fightingwith everybody else.
Speaker 1 (44:14):
So, friends, what you're basically hearing is that
we've got registration comingup.
If you're listening to thisbefore registration day for all
of the extra tips, this isprobably the perfect time for
you to go ahead and use thatlink in episode notes to reach
out to Ashley to have her helpyou get these hotels booked,
have her get your actual trip inthe works so that when you do
(44:35):
secure your bib, you're able tokind of just know that you've
got all of those reallyimportant details, like where
you're staying, in your race bib.
Those are the most essential,and then you can work with
Ashley on the next steps ofplanning out the entire trip.
I think those are superessential to make sure that you
have as less of a stressfulprocess as possible when
registering for Run Disney.
(44:55):
Now I will also say that,friends, while you may not
necessarily need to starttraining for springtime right
now when you register because wedo register so far ahead if you
do want personalized trainingguidance, I'm going to ask you
to hop on over to the episodelinks and to use my form to jump
onto my one-on-one coachingwaitlist Because, again, you
want to feel your best for thatrace weekend.
Speaker 2 (45:20):
And you definitely want to pick coach Christine.
She is tried and true.
She is a little magical wizardwaving her wand at you, for lack
of a better word.
She's our fairy godmother.
She is always there when youhave a question, have self doubt
anything.
Christine is definitely thecoach that you want because she
(45:40):
is always on the runner side.
We have such a blast at any ofthese race weekends and any.
Any event that we are allinvolved in is always fabulous
when you have coach Christinethere.
Speaker 1 (45:53):
Oh, I so appreciate that.
I mean, at the end of the day,I want to reiterate to guys
whoever you choose to train withis fine.
Whoever you choose to book yourtravel with Ashley, it will say
the same thing.
We totally understand.
But Ashley and I are run Disneyrunners.
We are really big Disney fansaficionados, so we definitely
are there to help navigate thatworld.
That is a little overwhelmingfor first timers, for 10 timers
(46:17):
I mean.
It changes from Run Disneyweekend to weekend within the
season.
The registration process we'veseen it change over the years as
well.
So again, if you want someoneto help kind of guide you
through all of those changes,that's where we both come into
play.
But I will say there issomething super important to
take into consideration.
If, by any chance, you do notsnag that Run Disney
(46:40):
registration on the 29th, don'tlose hope.
There's still other fantasticways to still get in, and my
personal favorite is how I metAshley in the first place is
through charity bib options.
Um, so do you want to tell us alittle bit about charity bibs,
ashley, since I know that youhave navigated that way of
(47:02):
racing your runs as well?
Speaker 2 (47:04):
Yeah, charity bibs are a great way to do some good
in the world, um, and also dothe race that you wanted to.
That's how I uh successfullycompleted the perfect season.
Did not do it just by luck ofthe draw.
Um, some of them weredefinitely just charity bibs
because I didn't want to dealwith the stress of registration
(47:25):
day.
Um, because that's what ruinedmy first attempt at it.
I was not getting in for dopey,so, um, definitely check out
the run Disney website.
There is a charity partnerspage, uh, that you can see all
of the uh charities that areassociated with run Disney.
Um, make sure you're not goingout to some random website
(47:48):
trying to get them because, yeah, runney does have to authorize
them as a true charity partner.
So make sure you check thatpage out, reach out to them and
get on lists if they have them.
Some of them are open, I think,now for bibs for springtime
surprise so that you can getaccess to that see kind of like
(48:10):
their fundraising goals for thedifferent levels.
But it's a great way, um, andyou meet a lot of awesome people
, hence how I met coachChristine.
But a lot of them have supportgroups, fundraising assistance.
You know, they are really thereto support you as much as you're
supporting them.
So it's a great way to dosomething and give a little bit
(48:32):
back, to also gain some time foryourself.
Speaker 1 (48:36):
Yeah, absolutely.
We have some favorites of thepodcast, but all of the
charities that are partneredwith the friend Disney are
fantastic, so I can't speakhighly enough of those.
With that said, there have beensome really great tips.
We know that we're justscratching the surface because
this process can be superoverwhelming.
So if you want more details, ifyou have specific questions
(48:57):
that you want to reach out toeither of us for, use those
links in our episode notes.
We're here to help you navigatethe entire process.
Again, we also set upcommunications with folks that
are registering these generalregistration days to kind of
just be able to bounce back anyquestions that may come up
during that registration processas well.
So we're happy to help.
I want to thank you, ashley,for every aspect of helping
(49:20):
people to navigate the traveland accommodations and all the
run Disney world, even thecharity questions that you help
answer, because I do know that,again, it takes a village to be
able to run Disney and it takesa village of having that great
support through the entireprocess.
So thank you so much.
Absolutely Thank you for havingme.
Well, my friends, that is anofficial wrap for today's
(49:42):
episode of Extraordinary Strides.
A huge thank you again toAshley and Cole for sharing
their incredible engagementstory and to Ashley for her
amazing insights and insidertips on those REM Disney
registrations.
Again, if you're ready to makeyour next race weekend the most
magical yet, be sure to connectwith Ashley for your travel
needs or join my wait list forpersonalized training.
All of those links are providedin the episode notes or you can
(50:04):
join us over at the stridecollective community.
Now I want to wish you the verybest of luck securing your
registration.
I want to ask you to keepchasing those dreams and I want
to thank you for joining us heretoday.
Until next time.
I'm Coach Christine and I'mwishing you magical miles and
extraordinary strides.
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