If you’ve ever admired and appreciated the long thigh muscle in your—or another runner’s—leg, you may think it’s the ...

What you felt was most likely a leg cramp, an involuntary contraction of muscles in your leg. Leg cramps can be painful enough to stop you in the middle of a run or wake you up during the night.

However, most people benefit from a balanced diet rich in these essential nutrients, including: Inadequate blood flow to leg and foot muscles creates another common pathway to recurring cramps.