7 ELEVEN RUN 1500 MARATHON: Sub-Sex Finish

5 hrs & 36 mins; 6 hrs & 35 mins; and 7 hrs & 40 mins. These are my finish times in previous running(s) of a marathon on the Skyway. It has been getting slower every time. That is why I could be forgiven for mixing up the "i" with the "e" when excitedly describing my latest finish time.  In today's 7 Eleven Run 1500 Marathon, the Bicolano Penguin crossed the finish line with a time of 5 hours and 50 minutes.   Sub-six, baby. 

Route map

This is the second fastest time of the BP in the full marathon distance. More importantly, it kind of reversed the downward spiral of which the Bicolano Penguin only has himself to blame.  

Never gets old. Tasting the finisher medal.

Lower than 6 hours.

Key to the relatively strong run of the BP was the support  I got from my fellow 83neans, especially Noel "Ghibz" Guevara. He paced me for the better part of the marathon, almost 35 kilometers.  And the Galloway interval  we used was something he concocted himself:  1 kilometer (run) and 1 minute (walk). 

The 83neans:  Bob, Ernie, Ghibz, BP and Ed. Another 83nean - Fards, took the photo. 

The BP with Ghibz waiting for Wave C to be send off. Photo courtesy of Neil Nava. 

This novelty proved key and it brought a smile to my face.  Ghibz has often referred to the BP as his "maestro" in his running odyssey. Well this time, the student is proving to be an effective guru to his teacher. 

Aside from the happiness of nailing a relatively "fast" time, by penguin standards, I enjoyed the 7 Eleven Run 1500 Marathon as it was another opportunity to touch base with running acquaintances from near and far.    One can never discount the benefit derived from positive energy flowing from like-minded passionate runners.

With newly-wed Lyra.   

With fellow TBR alumni, JN.

With fellow FB runners Rose and Icar with Cherry Rose.

With Cachelle and Miguel.  Nice to see the couple gunning for longer distances

With fellow Bicolano Val

Two podium finishers from last week's Takbo Para Kay Juana - Mayla and Ernie got to see each other at 7 Eleven Marathon.

With Cherry Rose who used the 7 Eleven marathon as a recovery run from her BDM 102 ultra last week..  

Talking Mayon 360 stuff with Zaldy and Gia. 

We are truly blessed to be in a sports where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.