I run 1:26:52 at Togane half-marathon in March.
I improve on time at the ChiangMai Half. But at Togane I go out fast and steadily fade - so a less satisfying experience. My teammates talk of nothing but the wind after the race, which I try to avoid worrying about, preferring to assume that things will largely net out. Though in this case a strong tailwind at the very start and headwind at finish really amplify the sense of poor pacing and my lack of endurance.
I suppose other old, age-group runners would prepare with more long runs and some of these longer than 17k? But I have no future half-marathons on horizon, and am happy to have survived the Togane race with minimal injury impact.
It is nice day out - am glad to have this opportunity to test myself in a half-marathon -- and at least the first half of run was genuinely enjoyable in the moment.
And best of all -- I win JPY 30,000 (US$200) of cash cards -