I was just wondering if any of the marathoners/ultraers (think that's a word - it is now 😄) have used Tailwind during your events and if so how you carried it; in the stick pack or made up? Do you wear a hydration vest/camelback or belt with bottles during the event. I have read about making up a thick solution and water it down at drinks stations. Anyone tried this?
I told pinkaardvark I don't think much - think this explains why 😄
I used it in my first marathon. Going to buy some more as I got on fine with it. One sachet makes 600 ml. I made two 500 ml bottles up ready. I carried one and left the other at base, as fortunately it was multi lap I took one spare sachet, which they mixed for me as I was dithering with cold 😁 I drank three 500 ml bottles. I drank that but still wanted something else so they gave me a gel 😝 I only had to tote one 500 ml bottle. You would have to take the sachets in your pocket and make them up at the drinks stations
They say they are sufficient fuel by themselves. I think each one is 280 calories. I drank three of them. However, I burned off 2360 calories ! I was mindful of how much I was drinking as i didn’t want to be in the loo all the while. In hindsight I should have taken more sachets I ate solid food as well as it was laid on, which was great. That’s not always going to be the case though
They have a mild taste and are not sweet. Just like slightly tasty water They were fine for me, which was a relief as I didn’t try them out beforehand
Thanks for the info MissW. It was the logistics of using them I've been pondering. I think you're right, take sachets and get them made up - I'll have to hope they don't run out of water.
Hi misswobble just saw this thread in pinned posts and wondered if you had read the tailwind website, some interesting stuff on there. Below is from the FAQs about calorie intake vs output.
How much Tailwind should I be drinking?
What’s important to understand is that even though you may be burning 500+ calories/hour, your body physiologically can only process 200-300 calories per hour. So, in general, we recommend starting off with 200-300 calories/24oz (c.700ml) of water/hour for 2+ hour workouts, and 100-200 calories/24oz (c.700ml) of water/hour for activities less than 2 hours. Listen to your body. If you are feeling hungry dial up the amount of calories, if feeling overly satiated/full, dial it back. The right amount may also vary based on the conditions (think temperature and humidity) and length and your intensity (how long, how hard, how far). When it’s hotter than your usual training temperature, keep the same calorie rate per hour, but increase water to thirst.
I have not used it - yet!! I've just been Googling and it seems a lot of people use it in backpack bladders - apparently it's easy to rinse clean if it's been dissolved in water. Sounds really really interesting 
I have used it before for long runs but not for an actual event so just used in my Camelback and it was fine. I liked them. As MissW says the flavour isn't too strong. They mix with water really well and cleaning out a bladder isn't a problem.
I've just received my second pack - chose the trial one so various flavours, some with caffeine and am trying a couple of their recovery packs as after York not sure how refuelling will go but hoping to give OH a bottle made up with it ready for me.
The nice thing with them, apart from it working, is you get a handwritten note each time. It's about 6 months since I ordered my first assorted pack but the note references my return order - and they gave me a free buff.
I was really asking if anyone runs road marathons with a backpack as I can't say I've noticed it on the televised ones I've seen. I suppose it's a bit of overkill? Or just too much extra weight.
I have always thought 'overkill', but I've been changing my mind lately. It depends on the weather to a certain extent - for example during the London Marathon this year I was gasping for a drink between the water stations, even though they were plentiful! I don't find the bladder pack (mine is a 2 litre one) cumbersome (used it on long training runs), and if it is replacing my waist belt I don't think there would be much difference to the sweat-patch area (for want of a better term!). But also I am toying with the idea of trying to do a marathon without walking, and a bladder would be very helpful there - particularly for marathons like Brighton that provide water in cups (tricky to grab and drink on the run). It's also kinder to the environment if more runners carry their own water. If Tailwind can also replace food I'm very interested
Thanks Abi. I just don't want to be the "all the gear no idea" person 😄. But I have experience of water running out at an event and it's not nice.
Website is tailwindnutrition.co.uk
Or Facebook if you do that
Although I was not affected personally, it has happened at three of the events I've attended so far 
I may well give Tailwind a whirl Thanks for posting!
Heyup Annie! Have you bought the multi-serving version of Tailwind? I'm trying to find out what the shelf life is and they seem unwilling to tell me.
If you have any, could you tell me what its best before date is please?
Hiya. Sorry I haven't bought the multi-serve bags yet, still got a pack of stick packs. I was going to order a Mutltibag later this month/early Sept. The ones I received last week, not that it helps, are all dated for later part of 2019.
I don’t know if you’ve seen this from the website.
“Tailwind has a shelf life of about 2 years.
Once added to water, a. good rule of thumb is to treat it like juice. After mixing, it's best to drink it within a day (even if it’s warm it tastes pretty good). If mixed and then kept in the fridge it will stay good for about a week. You will know when you have let it hang around in your bottle too long, it will smell a little bit funky and you'll think you have started a science experiment.”
I’ve just tried one of the recovery sticks (not bought commercial recovery stuff in years.) I’ve got both flavours but used the chocolate one after my 24k run and it seems to have worked well. The run was early morning and I managed to have a life afterwards - even went out for dinner and stayed awake! Absolutely no aches or niggles the next day either. Will be giving them another go at the weekend.
A long reply to be of no help 😊
Ah thanks! 2 years - that's what I wanted to know. I couldn't find the information on the website (*blushes*, although since it's listed under "what is the sodium content" I'm not surprised I missed it!!). I think the Tailwind person I was asking on their Twitter didn't understand what I meant by "shelf life"
Annoyed - but I'll probably still buy some 
Thanks again xx
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