Hi all:) I have previously completed 2 open water swim events, one which was 2 miles and one which was 1 mile. They were both in the sea. I struggled on the 2 mile one, mainly due to not being able to swim breast stroke in a wetsuit - too boyant! I got awful cramp about 1 mile in, but managed to keep going & complete the race.
One the one mile race I bought my own wetsuit, much better and also practised my front crawl to at least alternate strokes on the swim. I did that but still suffered cramp towards the end of the race. As it was only 1 mile, it was so near the end I managed to float to the end!! This time the cramp went right up my legs and was very disabling. I did think Id have to bail even being so close to finishing.
So in 2 weeks I have this years charity swim! Its 1.4 miles & the regulations state wetsuits are optional! For me this is great, I can ditch the wetsuit & will swim in a swim skin instead to keep core temp, but should be much more flexible and allow me to swim some breast stroke without being awkward. Im hoping this will be the answer to my cramping issue, but obviously not 100% sure.
What else can I do to minimise my chances of cramps? The swim is at 10am. Usually I eat museli & banana for breakfast around 3 hours before swim & then drink bottle of sport drink plus energy bar half hour before.
Tips please? or comments on what I might be doing wrong!
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sea swim advice - calf cramps
2 replies
plasticinemachine · 01/07/2015 10:59
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