Painful, paralysing and PB-unfriendly, cramps can strike at any time. "There's no one definitive cause," saysDr Steve Ingham, head of physiology at the English Institute of Sport (eis2win.co.uk). Research in the Muscle & Nerve Journal shows

session (after warming up and stretching). It only takes an extra 10-15 minutes to do the following exercises, and you will certainly feel the benefits. First, run 40-50 metres with a slightly exaggerated stride. Jog back, and repeat three more times. Next

Q I was disappointed to get cramp at the 15-mile mark during a recent marathon. In the 48 hours before the race, I consumed plenty of carbohydrates and drank approximately four to five litres of water. During the race I drank plenty of water

Q If I try to run any further than a mile, my left calf tightens up and cramps very quickly. It’s so painful I simply have to stop. As you can imagine, I’m at my wit’s end, what’s wrong?A Pain in the calves can be caused by many different

later) I suffered horrible cramps in both calves. I put this down to overtraining, so three weeks before my next marathon I eased down and did a lot of stretching. Despite this, I started cramping even sooner than before – at around 18 miles. I think I

have noticed much relief from the pain. The fluid intake needs to be steady over the course of the distance (try to drink 200ml of isotonic drink just before running, and then 200ml for every 15-20 minutes of the run). Get this right, and the chances

As many as 39 per cent of distance runners may experience a cramp in their calves, hamstrings or quadriceps before they finish a race. While many people blame dehydration, Kevin Miller, an exercise scientist at North Dakota State University, US

After cramp struck at 21 miles the next five miles were going to be slow, dragging my leg along, and the weather was getting even hotter! The race was going well and everything was on target until cramp struck like a knife in my thigh; as soon

....hit the marathon wallWhat's going on? The energy to power your muscles comes from a store of about 2000 calories worth of glycogen in your liver and muscles, which is enough to energise about 20 miles of running. When you run out of glycogen, your body is forced

close to your physiological limit and forces you to slow down. Cure Ease up soon – or it's game over.LEG CRAMPS Ouch Your muscles are seizing up big time. Science Electrical impulses in the muscles have gone haywire, causing rapid contractions