Togane Half Marathon 2025

 

I return to Togane Half Marathon to improve on time from last year and try to win big prizes again.  

 

I succeed on the latter- capturing first place, but am unable to improve on last year's  time.  In fact I am over a minute slower, clocking 1:28.

 In my Togane post last year I made snide, critical comments about my teammates using the wind as an excuse for slower performance.  This year I am totally keen to blame the wind. 

I have read that for run performance, the negative impact of a headwind is 2x the benefit one receives from a tailwind.  I am sure most runners would feel that the negative ratio is far higher.  I felt limited benefit from the tailwind during the first half of race, sitting comfortably in the large 4-minute per kilometer pack, trying to resist speeding up beyond my goal pace. 

 

I was feeling confident about staying with pack and on pace as we approached 11k.  Then we turned back toward start and I was shocked by strength of wind.  And unfortunately the large pack had spread out by this point, just when I needed it.   

We faced a constant, stiff headwind through 17k, which I mostly struggled against, until I caught up with a petite girl who ultimately was 3rd place female. 

At least I am smiling at the end this year's Togane event.  Happy to win my age group.

I had thoughts of doing another half-marathon this year and trying again to clock the time I think I am capable of based on my training.  But my knee ached so much after event.