To a non-runner, going out and spending your weekend pounding pavement, trail or snow ...just so you can (hopefully) get back to where you came from uninjured makes no sense.

But to anyone who’s ever tried it, from the nagging knees and popping hips and breathing hiccups at the beginning, to the feeling of euphoria that comes just after you want to give up in the middle, to the just one more mile/I can’t go one more mile bargaining at the end, there is one thing runners have in common: They are, as a cohort, just a bit little off.

You can pick up a foam roller for $30-$40 at your local running store and it will last for years. It’s simple to do in your own home and even when traveling. It’s just about the best recovery you can do with little expense.

One of the most important things that my physical therapist recommended, was to foam roll after each run, even if just for a few minutes. When I received my RRCA Running Coach Certification and ACE Personal Trainer certification, I learned the same. I have even since taken a class specifically on foam rolling from SPRI.