Thousands of aching bodies are going to be in desperate need of a soothing massage after running in the London Marathon this month.

After near crippling myself taking part in a boot camp recently, I know my fitness levels are way too low to consider joining the 30,000 strong crowd in their 26-mile challenge.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have tense knots that could really do with being eased out of my sore shoulders.

So, for the sake of all those running the mammoth race, I went along to review the magic hands of Charlton-based masseur Rebecca Willcox.

This kind-hearted mum has been a practice nurse for 16 years and qualified as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist in 2007.

No stranger to long-distance running, Rebecca followed in her father’s footsteps to complete the London Marathon twice – and understands exactly how people will be feeling afterwards.

I’ve only ever had one quite bizarre massage in Egypt during which the crazy lady burnt my back with hot stones, so I was looking forward to being worked on by a medical professional.

Feeling instantly at ease in Rebecca’s home, she left me in her front room to get undressed, clamber onto the massage table and get beneath a cosy blanket, having ticked and signed a health check form.

When she returned we talked about where I was carrying my tension, what my regular exercise routine consists of (running 5km occasionally and swimming) and which areas caused me pain.

The wonderful thing about this nurse’s hour-long sessions is they are tailored around your specific needs and as Rebecca concentrated on “ironing” the knots in my sore shoulder I could feel the tightness melting away.

With the perfect amount of pressure, the experience was mixed with pure bliss and hints of extraordinarily satisfying pain.

As Rebecca told me, there’s a fine line between pleasurable pain and agony – but she gets the balance spot on.

She said: “When you work out your muscles tear and massage helps heal better and put your body back in line again.

“It’s relaxing as well.

“After a marathon your body aches – I was like an old lady after I ran it.

“The first time I took the next day off as holiday but the second time I went into work the next day and people thought I’d had a bad accident.

“I was hunched over and walking so slowly.

“It’s an amazing race – you’re body definitely needs something after it.

“They often have massage volunteers waiting at the end for people.”

Rebecca will be available to massage runners back to normality after the race and is happy to travel to clients’ homes in the Greenwich/Blackheath areas.

And as I learnt, you are welcome to fall asleep or natter with this wonderfully friendly therapist.

She added: “I will tailor the massage to what people need to help their recovery – my nurse hat comes on and I love feeling the muscles smoothing out under my thumb.

“It’s a huge buzz knowing I’m giving someone that amazing feeling you get after a massage.

“I love helping people and making a difference to their day.”

Hour-long massages are priced at £40.

Rebecca, who also teaches at exercise club Running Mummies in Greenwich, has just started new company R and M Fitness with business partner Michelle Brooks Evans.

For more information, or to book a massage, visit runningmummies.com or email rebecca.willcox@hotmail.co.uk