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“Are You Serious?!”

“Are you serious?!”

That was the second thing I said on Friday — on the top of a mountain in Oahu as the fiery sun was lighting up the Pacific Ocean — when Brian got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

Eventually, after a sufficient amount of questioning him and freaking out and shedding a few very happy tears, I also said yes.

Well done, little GoPro. Really well done.
Well done, little GoPro. Really well done.

Beyond getting a lifelong duathlon relay partner and someone to obnoxiously ring a cowbell at every bike race, I’m not sure Brian knows what he’s in for. I give him a ton of credit for making this trip unbelievably special, and also for proposing in the 6 AM hour while I was wearing workout clothes. Because that seems about right, right? And then we got massages. And then we got cheeseburgers.

But seriously: Wicked excited, super surprised, very happy, and a little sunburned. More details to come if you’re into that sort of thing. But for now, back to basking in this vacation for the next few days.

BRIAN BEDAZZLED MY JAZZ HAND.
BRIAN BEDAZZLED MY JAZZ HAND.

And don’t tell my mom because she will yell at me, but the first thing I said when I realized Brian was proposing: “Shut the f*** up.” Forever classy. (Brian is proud of this because I was essentially super nervous and speechless and he did not think it was possible for me to ever be speechless.)

Aloha, mahalo, namaste, OMG!

Ali

Ali

129 Responses

  4. Ali – I have been reading your blog for several years now and remember when you first “introduced” us to Brian. I loved reading this post! CONGRATS to you! 🙂 Here’s to a happy and HEALTHY 2015!

    Reply

  11. AHHHH! CONGRATULATIONS! And in such a beautiful place!!

    For what it’s worth, the first thing I said was, “Are you serious?!?!” and I’m still not living that down…

    ENJOY YOUR TIME ON CLOUD 9!

    Reply

  13. YAY! I literally said that outloud when I got my email alert and saw this post! I don’t know you, but I feel like we are friends and I always wondered when this would happen! Congrats, er best wishes… and enjoy! thank you for sharing the moment with us!

    Reply

  14. Ali!! This is so amazing!! I cant wait to see you at NP and hug the crap out of you!! Congrat to you and your future hubby!!

    Reply

  15. Congratulations! As a newly engaged lady myself, I know the feeling… you will hold it in your heart forever.

    AND THAT PHOTO!?!? Could not be more perfect. xo

    Reply

  26. Congrats!!!!!
    I’m so excited for you! Even though we never met, so that’s not weird. But seriously, you guys seem great together, and I hope you’ll have a lifetime full of happiness 🙂

    Reply

  29. hahaha the first thing I said when my fiance proposed was “SHUT THE FUCK UP” – classyyyy laddyyy. Congratulations to you two! <3

    Reply

  33. Congratulations!!! I’m a long time follower and reader…and yeah like someone else said, not surprised. If he has stayed with you through thick and thin he loves you and he’s a keeper!

    Reply

  34. Congratulations! After reading about some of your most extreme lows (and crossing my fingers for you that there was a light at the end of the tunnel), I am most excited to read about this extreme high (as well as some of your other recent accomplishments)! This enjoyment is well deserved and thank you for sharing it all with us– the good, the bad, the ugly, the wonderful. I am excited to hear all about your upcoming nuptuals!

    Reply

  35. ahhh this is amazing!!! i can’t think of any more perfect way for a runner fit chick to get engaged than in Hawaii, on a hike, in workout clothes. i’d die of happiness as well. CONGRATS!! so so thrilled for you two!

    Reply

  38. OMG!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! And what a perfect place to propose! Well planned by your new fiancee. I tip my running hat to him! He’s a keeper! 🙂

    Reply

  41. Congratulations, i am sooooo happy for you. that is amzing and fantastic news. I started reading your blog when you told everyone that you had a boyfriend called Brian. Congratulations. it is a wonderful time so enjoy every moment. 🙂

    Reply

  44. Congrats! I saw your tweet yesterday about champagne and just thought you were enjoying vacation. Then while working out this morning I had a serious freak out of “OMG – Champagne means she’s engaged!!” I’ve never been so excited about a stranger’s engagement before, but I RUSHED home to check the blog and here it is!! YAYAYYAYA!!

    Reply

  49. Congrats!!!
    The first thing I said was you’re such an @$$ (he asked me in front of a huge audience) so you’re not too far off

    Reply

  57. Slightly ridiculous how giddy this makes me given that I don’t know you in real life!!! And pretty sure my reaction would be exactly like yours! Congrats Brian and Ali!

    Reply

  58. !!!!!!!!! congratulations!

    there will be details, right? like, when is the wedding? will you wear running shoes like in father of the bride?

    also, if i don’t know you in real life, would it be weird and stalkerish to stop you and ask to see the ring next time i see you running in the park? (answer: probably)

    Reply

  59. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! so happy for you!!!!! I somehow had a feeling this would happen on your trip. just an inkling 😉 so so so flipping excited for you!! congrats, and well done Brian 🙂

    Reply

  60. I’ve followed your blog for while and love your writing and profound grace under pressure. You deserve much happiness, Big congratulations to you and Brian!!!

    Reply

  69. Congratulations!! I’ve been following your blog for a while (super inspiring – my husband and I just ran our first half a few weeks ago, and you seriously pushed me through the last few tough weeks of training) and catching up on your life (is that creepy?), and I can’t tell you how excited this news made me. I’m SO happy for you!
    Also, “Are you serious!?” is what I said when my husband proposed, too. 🙂 Our one year anniversary is coming up in January!
    CONGRATULATIONS!

    Reply

  85. Congratulations!!!!!!!!! I can feel your excitement and happiness radiating through your post! Love how you keep it real with your reactions 🙂 Cheers to a lifetime of happiness!

    Reply

  86. I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN as soon as I saw you were going to Hawaii!! Yayyyy, congrats! Nothing beats a destination proposal and subsequent basking in joy for the rest of the vacation. Enjoy!!

    Reply

  94. Congratulations! My husband actually proposed to me on a mountain and I said, “Are you serious?!?!?” too! So happy for you two!!!

    Reply

  102. CONGRATULATIONS!! Without knowing either one of you in real life, I feel justified in declaring that you are a perfect match for each other. I hope you two have the happiest life together! <3

    Reply

  117. Ali – I’m a long time blog reader and could not be any happier for you. Wishing y’all a great rest of your vacation and a lifetime of happiness!!

    Reply

  120. SO many Congratulations!!! Ahhh so exciting! Beautiful pictures to cherish for the rest of your life! Nice work Brian!

    Reply

  127. Congratulations! Also, don’t feel bad, the first words out of my mouth when my now-hubs proposed were “Is this for real?!”

    Reply

  128. Congrats!! That’s pretty much exactly how mine happened, oh wait minus Hawaii and sunrise and cheeseburgers (I’m a vegetarian), but plus the wait are you serious and cuss words part. Very exciting, enjoy!!

    Reply

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about ali

I’m the creator of the Ali on the Run blog and the host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast. I’m also a freelance writer and editor, a race announcer, a runner and marathoner, a mom, and a huge fan of Peanut M&Ms, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (way better than the first one!), and reliving my glory days as a competition dancer in the early 2000s. I’m really happy you’re here.
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