Ever heard of self-myofascial release? The chances are that while you’re not clued up on the lingo, you’ve probably done it before – in the form of foam rolling. Rolling works deep into the muscle to relieve tightness, muscle soreness and inflammation, which in turn increases your range of motion and keeps you moving pain-free for longer.

But if like me, you find foam rolling both painful and boring, the chances are that you’re skipping this crucial muscle recovery step. I’m a long-distance runner and in true marathoner style, I’m a total wuss when it comes to any kind of muscle release other than being gently rubbed down in a spa with wind chimes clanging around me. That’s obviously no good; putting our bodies under intense, sustained pressure (like marathon cycles) results in overly tight muscles which, if left unattended to, can become injury-prone.