Is it normal to get cramps in your leg? And why?

Rainbow, you can follow the advice that has been given by others or stop and think about what I am telling you. If you were truly dehydrated then it would not be one muscle group that was cramping but your entire body as one does not loose fluids in just one area. A muscle cramps because it is tired and has been overused. There are reflexes in the body that control how a muscle is going to respond and the best way to deal with them is to make sure that they are stretched out and or maged. Here are a few exercises that should help you. The first is done either in a long sitting position or lying on your back. The knees are kept straight and the legs are fully extended. Have the muscles of the feet pull the front of the feet up towards the knees. You will know that this is working as there will be a stretching sensation in the calves. Hold that position for ten seconds and then rest. Repeat that between five and ten times. Do that at least twice a day with the best times being right before you go to sleep and right before you get out of bed in the morning. Next attempt this one with something around that can help you maintain your balance. Squat down but maintain the heels in full contact with the floor. Stay in that position for thirty seconds and then rest. You may need to hold onto something initially until there is enough flexibility in the tendons to allow you to do it without holding on. Lastly, and this one doesn't have to be done, this movement is a yoga position so you may wish to look it up either on line or in a book or dvd. The position is called Downward Facing Dog. The object is to attain that position and stay there for one minute. In the beginning doing it for ten seconds will be enough but keep working towards the one minute goal. This should stop your cramps but if you do get one stretching it out will definitely stop it.