Now the idea seemed like such a good one at the time. You know the kind of thing. Why don’t you treat yourself to a massage, it might make you feel so much better. Those aching joints might just respond to a little TLC, rather than the thrashing they have been getting on the treadmill and indeed the challenging highways and byways of south west London. I agreed. It did indeed seem like a good idea. A gentle massage to ease those aching bones and re-invigorate a flagging fitness campaign. So I went slightly mad and booked two treatments, an organic foot massage and a back and neck massage. Job done, happy days.

Well sometimes the idea and the reality can be so different. Put it this way. My feet feel fine. In fact I would go as far as to say they are indeed reinvigorated. Alas I can’t say quite the same of my shoulders, back and neck……. I had my feet done first, organic products a go-go, scented candles, plinky plonky music, a heated bed to lie on and a flannel laid gently over my eyes. I don’t mind telling you it was a struggle not to nod off. I did try to keep the conversation going, but I must admit I was drifting. The half hour wheezed by and I enjoyed it so much, I am booked in to have another the week after I do the 8.2 mile run…….

So I skipped out of the treatment room floating on air, with baby soft feet and a slight spring in my step. I ambled in to have my back and neck done with ne’er a care in the world, although a few storm clouds hovered ominously on the horizon, when the therapist, or torturer supreme as I now like to call her, asked me if I would like a light/medium massage, or a medium/heavy touch. “Oh light/medium,” I replied breezily, before lying on yet another heated bed and preparing to nod off again. Well that was a short lived sensation. My brief reverie was pierced by what sounded like bones cracking. It wasn’t of course, it was the air being pushed out of my joints, but dear god it hurt.

The therapist, who was lovely, kept saying how tense I was (no kidding), and pummelled away at the problem areas, which essentially consisted of my whole back, shoulders and neck. I hadn’t had a massage for around two years and it showed, because it was uncomfortably pleasant, if that makes sense. So much so, that I have booked another one in a fortnight’s time, after being pummelled painfully into submission, because I know I need it. Too much time sat at a computer, lumping small but substantial children around and carrying a handbag that weighs at least 10 lbs (I’m not kidding). It all adds up and your back and shoulders pay the silent price…… at least that was how I solemnly explained the situation to my husband last night, when I also admitted that I had bought some pointlessly expensive body milk for the bath, which had cost more than the massage…..oh dear…..