I've been swimming 6k-8k per week for two years primarily pool but some open water. Recently completed a 5k open water race in 1:43 in choppy conditions. I feel like I could have pushed harder but was constrained by toe/foot/calf cramps which I coninuosly had to manage/forestall by slowing down my stroke/effort generally and my kicking in particular. The three times I actually began to cramp (2nd half of the race) I was able to relieve the cramp by a few *** strokes with toes pulled up followed by a reduced effort. Any thoughts on training, nutrion, mindset that eliminate or greatly reduce cramping as the limiting factor.
Did you get in a good warm-up and stretch before the swim?
Did you adjust your stroke of sighting to account for the chop? Some people will swim with their head higher in chop, which will drop the hips and change the kick. I train people to keep their head lower and breathe down and back more in chop. Also shorten their stroke and fight the chop, instead of finding a rhythm to keep the stroke long.
Did you get in a good warm-up and stretch before the swim?
Did you adjust your stroke of sighting to account for the chop? Some people will swim with their head higher in chop, which will drop the hips and change the kick. I train people to keep their head lower and breathe down and back more in chop. Also shorten their stroke and fight the chop, instead of finding a rhythm to keep the stroke long.
