Suffering from pre-race nerves that are keeping you awake? Step away from the sleeping pills and try this natural mix of cinnamon, chamomile and (most importantly) – five per cent valerian root.

My first downhill race: Pagers, mince pies & bricking it

Sleep Easy Tea uses the root, which is a common cure for insomnia, to aid sleep – and from experience it certainly works for me (and my teacher mum, too!). Just be sure to brew yourself a cup about an hour before you hit the sheets, and only use it if you’ve got a good 10 hour stretch ahead of you before race time, because it does result in blissfully heavy limbs – great for aiding sleep, not so great on the start line!