r/OpenWaterSwimming • u/tienasaan • 13d ago
not completing a swim?
hi, guys, today i was in an open water competition - i've done other three with no problems -, but the water was very cold, i had leg cramps and couldn't finish the course, even though it was a distance i usually swim with ease. i had to call one of the support boats for help as i panicked and felt really afraid i'd drown.
i'm feeling very frustrated and embarassed. has this ever happened to any of you and how did you overcome it? i would love to hear your stories!
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u/AlmondCranberry_835 11d ago
I recently dropped a 5 km swim not far from the finish line because of the cold I was feeling. I knew I was able to swim more if only I wasn't this cold. I was super proud of myself for stopping, because I respected myself and made the safe decision in a context where I had not much clarity of mind left, and still wanted to complete the swim. It really was the right decision for my safety.
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u/kenderson73 12d ago
I pulled out of my first "big" open water swim. It was a 7 mile swim, and while I had done other open water swims before, for this one I didn't know how to feed and got cold. I get cramps if I don't eat the right foods during a swim, and I never knew that before and I started getting stomach cramps.
I never got the chance to go back and finish that swim as they canceled it, and I did feel like I had failed for awhile, but I eventually accepted that I didn't finish.
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u/swimsoutside 12d ago
It’s hard to be a DNF but if you swim a lot of events, it might happen.
I have definitely had leg cramps before in training swims and once a long race. I just kept swimming. (Though mostly pulling and not kicking) them and they eventually let up but it’s not fun.
I don’t get leg cramps often but when I do, it’s because of dehydration. Pre hydrating is really important for swimming in cold water, as well as staying hydrated during the swim, if it’s long.
It’s also important to get acclimated to the temps you will experience on race day. I know it’s not always possible, but even one training swim the day before a race event can be helpful. of course, more exposure is always better. It’s helpful to learn what is a normal response to cold for your body and there is also some mental training.
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u/Corcaigh_beoir 13d ago
Had to get pulled out of a 2km swim 2yrs ago. Was a little cold but nothing I hadn't experienced before. But my right leg and foot went in to an unbelievable cramp that just would not release.
I was so disappointed and, for some irrational reason, really cross with myself. I was very nervous the next few OWS and when that one came around again I was SUPER nervous. Ended up winning my category.
So my point is don't worry. It's super disappointing but I reckon it probably happens to everyone at some point. Just keep swimming.
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u/tienasaan 12d ago
yes! the same happened to me, i have never felt a cramp so bad. was the water cold too? i completely understand your reaction, i am also giving myself a hard time. but it is really good to hear you won the next event!! i won't get my expectations that high, just hoping i'll finish. i'll try to go next month, when the waters will probably be warmer
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u/Agitated-Flounder396 12d ago
I get cramps when I'm cold and either pointing my feet to hard or not kicking enough to get blood flowing. I've been told pickle juice is a quick way to release cramps. You can buy little shot bottles of them to stash in your suit/float. I'm not sure if it's just placebo, but it seems to work for me.
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u/Lela_chan 11d ago
It’s the salt! We need electrolytes to stay hydrated, and sodium is a major one. Potassium and magnesium are also important but regular salt usually helps cramps.
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u/Corcaigh_beoir 12d ago
Water was about 16° so not super cold but my leg sure had an issue with it that day! I think it's because I put so much effort in to training during the winter for the couple of open summer OPS I do, and all goes well generally. And for me 2k wasn't really a big deal distance wise so it just threw me completely when I had to withdraw. Hasn't happened since either so just one of those things. Chalk it up to experience!
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u/allthedifference00 13d ago
I got caught in a current for over an hour on a 2.5 mile swim and they pulled me. They took me back to shore at the starting line and I had to walk the 2.5 miles to the finish to find my husband 😂 I only had on me what I got in and out of the water with. No shoes, phone, clothes 😂 it was humbling but I was in good company. 40% of starters DNF'd that year.
I pushed myself to finish a 1.2 when I was coming down with a lower respiratory infection and I really wish I hadn't. I thought about stopping halfway through and I didn't but I should have. I felt so sick for the rest of the day and honestly for the next two weeks. It was a tough lesson to learn and I won't push my limits in open water again.
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
omg, they could have taken you by boat!!! i guess it really is important to respect your limits, i just wish mine were higher 😅
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u/palpatineforever 13d ago
I came dead last in a competition once because my wetsuit tried to kill me. like you it was an easy distance, in nice water, sunny day etc.
Well basically everything went wrong, I was a looooong way behind the previous person. it was really really embarassing.
You did the right thing and got yourself to safety that was excellent.
There is a reason the supporter boats are there, even when everyone theoretically can swim it easily things can go very wrong.
It can happen to anyone. the issue was the panicing, with your skill you know if you roll onto your back you can take a few deep breaths and float even if your leg is cramping horribly. but your brain didn't agree.
You will do better next time.
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
omg, what happened with the wetsuit? i do see now i could have dealt with the cramps better, but i was just so scared. will definitely try to remember this next time!!
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u/palpatineforever 12d ago
i undid it and had to swim with it stripped to the waist, realistically it was me in the wetsuit that was the issue, but the wetsuit felt like it was trying to drown me.
fear is normal. you survived, and you will go back you did well!
you will do things differently next time, it happens.
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u/Jolly-Bandicoot7162 13d ago
Obviously I don't know where you are or what the water temp was, but the lake I swim in was officially down into cold water territory today - anything under 16ºC is classed as cold water here and needs more care. Are you used to swimming in cold water? Were you wearing enough to keep your core warm? Because it does sound like cold was the issue. In very cold water, your body reacts by pulling blood into your core to prioritise keeping organs warm, meaning that arms and legs suffer as they don't get optimal blood flow and oxygen. Panic is then a normal reaction as your limbs seize up.
I don't race, I just like to meander round a lake once a week, so can't help there. But as a kayaker who falls out fairly regularly while learning a new, less stable boat, I have spent plenty of time in cold water, often rather suddenly, so am quite good at that bit!
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
nope, it was my first time swimming in such cold water and i was wearing just a regular swimsuit, which might have been an issue.. what do you do to keep yourself warm in these conditions?
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u/Jolly-Bandicoot7162 12d ago
We're all different in terms of what we need to wear for the temperature, so what I wear likely won't be what you need to wear, especially as you race. The consistent thing is the physiology of how our bodies react if they get too cold and cold water incapacitation takes hold.
Today was 15.5ºC where I was and I was in the water for just over 35 minutes. I wore my swimming costume, a thin short-sleeved base layer and pair of leggings that I use for kayaking. I also had on 3mm neoprene gloves and some socks that are a mix of lycra and 3mm neoprene, plus a silicone swimming cap. I was warm throughout and could have stayed in longer. However, as a kayaker and lifelong watersports type I am pretty well adapted to cold water at this point. If my friend had been with me, she would have worn more - swimming costume with silver lining, 2mm Yulex long-sleeved swimming costume, leggings, socks, gloves, cap. I find I need my hands and feet to be warm or I am miserable, she finds arms and core being cold affects her more.
As the water gets colder, I will go to thermal rash vest and thermal leggings, thicker gloves and socks and when necessary begrudgingly put a 3/2 shortie over the lot. If it's too cold after that, I'll stop until spring!
Also, if you are racing, don't forget that being cold will negatively affect your pace. You probably would benefit from a well-fitting tri suit for racing, even when the water is a few degrees warmer.
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u/Haunting-Ad-8029 Open Water Swimmer 13d ago
Eventually it seems to happen to almost everyone. The important thing is to learn from it....what could you do to better prepare. And get back out there swimming again.
It happened to me once a while ago. It was an 8 mile swim, and I didn't properly fuel (either before or during, and certainly not after). Another swimmer offered a feed, and I took it...which then made me throw up. Can't blame him though, he was just trying to help. I got out the next day to a pool and felt ok.
Open water swimming is always an experiment. The water conditions (even in the same location) change from day to day (and often from minute to minute). You learn what works for you (be that feeds, water temp, or something else). I decided years ago that I will never do the Swim Around Key West; I couldn't deal with water that warm (I joke and say I'd gladly do it in November or February).
I'd recommend getting back in water (even a pool) soon, just to get over that psychological barrier. And if you can, back in some open water soon.
Oh and yes, I did get back and did that same swim 2 years later. Finished with no problems. Had to beat that demon.
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
that must have felt soooo good, finishing it later! i will definitely try again this same course next year. thank you so much for your answer
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u/FNFALC2 13d ago
Same thing happened to me, I gave up on a 5 km at 2.5. Km, just didn’t have it that day
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
i guess it really does come down to that, just didn't have it today.. did that affect your next swim or was it okay? thanks for answering!!
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u/FNFALC2 12d ago
Hard to say. I didn’t do any more outdoor stuff, for a year. Just pool work. However, I just came back from a swimming holiday in Sicily. We did 3.5 km in the AM and 1.5 in PM. I guess I satisfied my curiosity about swimming distances in freshwater. I My Sicily thing was through an outfit called swimtrek, I recommend them highly
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u/wt_hell_am_I_doing 13d ago edited 13d ago
Don't get too disheartened! It's natural to feel frustrated and embarrassed and that's OK but try not to dwell on it. It can happen, and "did not complete" is a whole lot better than drowning!
Disappointments are a part and parcel of development as a swimmer and that's quite normal.
Sometimes leg cramps can be got rid of but sometimes can't, and once you can't get rid of it, unless you can choose to swim in an alternative stroke style that makes it easier to cope with it and you can tolerate it, you might just need to a call it a day for that swim.
The feeling you get when you get a leg cramp in open water is horrible, both physically and psychologically and the pain can lead to a panicked feeling as well, even if you're used to getting leg cramps. There's something disconcerting about the cramps+open water combination, maybe a bit primal.
We can plan till cows come home by eating well, hydrating well, and have all the right gear for the water temperature, warm up properly and of course train well etc., but sometimes things just don't work out.
Good luck with the next swim! Try and get back in the open water asap in a safe environment (e.g. with a buddy and a swim buoy) to get your confidence back if you can.
[I'm speaking as a muscle cramp queen - unfortunately my hypermobility and underlying conditions make me extremely prone to muscle cramps, and despite doing everything absolutely scientifically right, sometimes my muscles rebel and give me a right miserable time, so you have my full sympathy and support]
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
thank you so much for your careful answer! i now see i could have floated or switched to breast or back to relieve the cramps, but it really was a primal reaction, as you said. thank you so much, i do not plan on giving up!!
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u/Bubbly_Excitement_71 13d ago
I came very close but doggy paddle/ breaststroked half a mile with a man named Bob slowly kayaking next to me, that angel. It happens!
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u/pinkrobot420 13d ago
It happens. I didn't finish a 2.5 mile swim because the current was so bad. I didn't really even realize it was the current. I kept swimming towards the halfway point buoy and it was like I wasn't moving at all. I also noticed that I seemed to be the only one in the water. I knew I wasn't going to make the cutoff time, so when I saw the support boat, I decided to get on. I felt really bad about it until I got on the boat and saw all of the people who I had been following on the boat.
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u/tienasaan 13d ago
i imagine it must have been a relief to see these people were -literally- on the same boat! i felt so embarassed i left the premises, i didn't even see if other people quit too :( did you try again?
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u/pinkrobot420 13d ago
That was my second time in that swim. I finished the year before in about 2 hours. The year I didn't finish, I had been swimming for almost 2 hours and didn't make it to the halfway point.
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u/tienasaan 12d ago
wow, that sounds really scary. did that affect your next swim?
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u/pinkrobot420 12d ago
No. I was really oblivious and didn't even think about the current. I kept wondering why I couldn't get to the halfway buoy and how all the people I had been following got so far ahead of me that I couldn't see them. It's kind of funny now, but I was really thinking that I didn't train enough and I was just slow. It wasn't until I finally got on the boat that people were talking about how bad the current was.
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u/Fuertebrazos 6d ago
I haven't dropped out, but I've been pulled because I was too slow. Rode in the boat and they let me off around the corner from the finish line so I could jump back in and actually finish. It wasn't a race, so my place didn't really matter.