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Choose Life in the after- after the spouse dies, after the marriage ends, after the kids leave

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Big Weekend- for me

May 9, 2017 by Sharon

As someone who stays home a lot, I like to have time away and out of the ordinary experiences!! This weekend fit the bill! I’m not used to these action-packed weekends, but I’m not complaining!!

Friday
While packing on Friday, I took a flat mama picture of my running outfit for a local running group that I’m part of.
top Old Navy – similar, leggings Title Nine, shoes Solomon
These are my favorite running shoes. They are trail shoes, but I’ve had this same style for years. I think this pair
is my 5th pair. There is just something about them that keeps my feet from getting in too bad of shape!

Saturday

I  signed up to run a 1/2 marathon in Albuquerque (ABQ), and a bit later we found out that Los Lonely Boys were going to be in concert in ABQ the same weekend. We decided to make a full weekend out of it!

We got up Saturday morning early and drove to Albuquerque. I needed to pick up my race packet and run some errands.

I got received several compliments on my top. It is from The Loft!

We were excited that Dr. T’s cousin and his wife could go with us to the concert! Since I don’t know very much about eating out in ABQ, I was so happy for Kimberly to suggest where to eat for lunch. The concert was at the Sandia Resort and Casino. Kimberly suggested that since we were ending up there and it was such a beautiful day, we should have lunch at the pro shop restaurant. It was the perfect place for lunch!

This was our view while catching up over lunch! I would go back here in a heartbeat!

This was the coziest place for lunch. I can’t wait to bring friends here! The view was beautiful and the margarita was great!! I highly recommend eating here if you are in ABQ.

Next was the concert! We walked over to the venue through the casino so I was able to see the inside! It was very nice!!

If you are not familiar with the Los Lonely Boys, go to Youtube now and find their music. Then order whatever you can off of your favorite music site to download. Los Lonely Boys are three brothers from San Angelo, Texas. Their music is positive and upbeat! They are very family oriented and spread good vibes about just being alive and thanking God for our lives! I love them!! We have seen them twice this year.

We have seen them twice this year. The first time, they brought out their father to sing with them. Saturday, they had their kids with them and they came out and played with their dads. So much fun!

Me and my Sweetheart!!

The whole crew! We had a great time!

Even if you don’t know any other Los Lonely Boys songs, you have to have heard this one!

This is one of my favorite songs that they sing besides “Heaven.”

And then the 1/2 Marathon!!
Sunday!

I woke up at 4 am Sunday morning. My alarm was set for 4:50, but I couldn’t sleep any longer. Ate a bit, got dressed and made sure that I had everything I needed before walking out the door at 5:30. I drove my friend Alison and myself to a park and ride lot. The race started at 7 am. I’m not particularly proud of my time, it is by far the slowest that I have ever run a 1/2. But considering that I didn’t really train for this, I’m glad I finished under 3 hours!

The Start!

We were so exhausted!!

I admit I was very foolish at my age to run a 1/2 marathon without proper training. I am in fairly good shape, but I like to say that I have this cute layer of flab on top of my muscles. The issue isn’t with being in shape to do it. The issue is with not training in a smart manner.
I have always run by this notion: “The truth is, more mileage is better only up to the point where you can achieve your potential. After that, each additional mile only increases your injury risk” From this Runner’s World article. 


The key to running injury free is to never increase your miles by too many in any given week of training. Train over weeks and add a reasonable amount each week until you reach your race goal. I didn’t do that. I had been running 5Ks for a bit and then all the sudden added 10 miles into the mix twice. Not smart!! My legs could handle the miles but my joints were not eased into those long miles. Needless to say at about mile 10 my knees and ankles started really bothering me. After the race, my knees were killing me!!! 

I’m trying to talk a great friend from Texas into coming and running a 1/2 here with me in September. I will have plenty of time to train correctly for that one!!!

This was Alison’s first 1/2 marathon as swimming is her main sport, but I think she is hooked after her high of finishing this 1/2!! That’s the thing about running— you can’t beat a good runner’s high!!

I really am planning on doing a training plan for the 1/2 marathon in September. I will post what I’m doing and how I’m doing with my training. You can help hold me accountable!!

I know I have a few readers from ABQ. I loved this city this weekend. Trent’s cousin and wife live in a beautiful area. We drove through some beautiful neighborhoods while running errands. I also ran through an unbelievable neighborhood at the end of the run.
 I would love recommendations of great local restaurants etc. I like some chain restaurants, but we love to eat at locally own places!!

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After her husband’s sudden and unexpected death, Sharon McCuistian found herself a widow at the age of 48. With two grown children in college, Sharon had to find a way to live in her new reality. She turned to the things she loved to help in her grief: faith, family, and friends. Her love of words and writing became the cathartic venue by which she began to process her loss. It is through her grief journey that Now Choose Life was born. Read More

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