you live and train. But aim to get as race-specific with your training as you can. Dealing with Running Cramps If They Occur Realize that it may take quite some time to resolve persistent cramping issues. In my case I think it's going to take a lot of time to get my adductors cramp-resistant. And to be honest, I may never get to that point. If you do end up cramping despite efforts to prevent them, here are some scientifically backed methods for reducing or stopping a cramp: 1. Stretch the muscle Gently try to stretch the cramping muscle. By doing so you'll help increase contraction-inhibiting signals coming from muscle receptors. At least that's the theory. In reality this never rarely helped me because my cramps are so severe I can't bear to stretch it out. And often trying to stretch one muscle will cause another muscle to cramp. Usually it's the opposing muscle that cramps up. For example if my hamstrings are cramping and I try to stretch them, my quads may end up cramping as well. Still, studies have shown it works so try it. 2. Massage the muscle. This is another way of reducing the contraction in a muscle. I prefer this to stretching but it takes time. 3. Drink pickle juice, vinegar or mustard. I've only found studies that deal with pickle juice but there's anecdotal evidence that mustard and vinegar work as well. The most common explanations why these compounds work is that it's the