Postcards from a tired man

Almere was my first IM distance race in 1994 and I have always fancied going back, so early this year when I realised that all the overseas M dot races at a convenient time (August for school holidays and maximum chance of clement training weather) were already full, it was the logical choice.  This report is a bit of a long ‘un but I think you need the preamble to get the full flava..  Thursday 23 rd August: Race Day -2  I do like a good long faff before a race and as well as several evenings of list writing, kit checking and online ordering in the weeks leading up to the race I also had the luxury of a good few hours of fettling on the day we set off. It’s amazing how urgent things can suddenly become: Sealable plastic bags? I have to have them NOW! or my jelly babies will get mulchy on the run. Valve extenders: how many spares do you need? I’ve still got a one item shopping list (write it down so you don’t forget…) which simply says “twiglets”  The car was duly packed up wit