IM at a distant

Well after a long hard look back at the Tri season I have decided not to compete in an Ironman next year(2008). I would like to work on my nutrition first. I think I am close and would like to compete without any cramps in a long distant race. I competed in a couple of sprints and no problem. My first race of the season(Terre Haute) I noticed I cramped slightly on the bike and then the cramps stop me from moving completely on the run portion. This is frustrating since I enjoy running the most. I believe I should hydrate right after the swim and continue through out the race. This is a challenge since I cannot hammer on the bike if I am fueling all the time.
I get caught up on the bike that I do not hydrate as much as I should. Discipline is part of the key but also hydrating with the right fuel. I will compete in the same HIM that I competed in 2007 and hope not to cramp out next year(2008). Some of the training I will do different is more outdoor swimming and a centurion. Of course hydrate more often in my training. I have experimented with electrolyte pills and some calcium supplements but they do not appear to be effective. I would also like to get to a point were I am not drained from swimming. This season was my first time swimming over 3K meters and it was not easy. The workouts took me over an hour and some close to 2 hours. I will take some more swim lessons from my coach and hope to get my stroke efficient. So many time i hear others say they found a grove in the swim and swam on. I can get a grove on the bike and in the run but the swim is always a battle. Marathon training had gone great and even at the race at mile 19 I felt great. Mile 20 I hit the wall and all my hopes of finishing strong went out the window. Next year I will start my training right after my last HIM and stay on track. My 20 mile practice went well and I even recorded great time but the Sun gods were not cooperating with me the day of the marathon.
I enjoy everything about the triathlons and marathons and hope to get better by practice and training.
Some day all the training will pay off but for now I will continue to pay my dues.