Tailwind users....a question🙂

[Sandraj39]

How do you use it? Do you use it in place of water or carry both? I have ordered some rather tentatively, as I have only ever used water and Power Flapjacks (👍😂) . This got me happily through my first half marathon but Tailwind has had so many positive mentions on here, I thought it was time to step up and try it. I am not a big drinker on my long runs - a few sips every 5k or so. Would it work if I used Tailwind like this and also carried my flapjack (!) - seem to remember misswobble does something like this?

All thoughts and advice welcome! Thank you.🙂

[Hidden]

That’s how I use it, sips as I go along. I don’t carry additional water as it’s mixed in water, plus the electrolytes keep you hydrated and topped up if you sweat. The furthest I’ve run with it is 15k though

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick, that's how I think I would use it too. The only downside is the need to carry fluids at an event - I usually just use the water at water stations and my flapjack!!🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Following with interest! I use it on my long training runs and sip it at 'virtusl water station' depending on the route Im training for. But in races I use the clif blocks or gu chews and just water at the stations. That's because I prefer not to carry a big bottle or wear my pack in a race given that water us provided. Ive been wondering if I could take my small flibpelt bottle - 150ml - with a strong solution of tailwind and just take a slug and then drink their water to dilute it. Having said that, im quite happy with the gu chews and clif bloks plus water

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I have to say, I hate carrying more than I have to and don't usually carry water at events either...gu chews and clif blocs?

..I clearly am quite the novice when it comes to these things!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Theyre like cubes of Hartley's jelly! Carbs, caffeine in some flavours, electrolytes in some flavours too. For me more palatable than gels by far and no tummy issues either. Easy to fit in a flipbelt. They're rather sweet tho, even the ginger ale one, which is why I generally prefer dilute tailwind.

[Hidden in reply to linda9389]

I did both my 10k races at Blenheim with just the flip belt bottle.

[misswobble Marathon]

Firstly, mix it to the amounts stated on the packet or you could end up dehydrated if you make it too concentrated

I took some today on my 16 k race. No pockets for snacks today Eeek! I was fine with just the Tailwind though, but I did have my usual porridge an hour pre race.

For longer runs, as well as Tailwind, I like to take my peanut power bar, some Haribo's and a small bag of Hula Hoops, say for over 20 km It's nice to have a break and a treat. I think mentally it helps. It does me anyway

Which reminds me, I need to order another box of Tailwind!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to misswobble]

How much tailwind mix do you take for a HM Miss W? And how do you carry it?

[misswobble Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It’s recommended to mix one sachet with 600 ml of water I mix that and put it in my 500 ml bottle My bottle was supposed to be 600 ml bottle but Sportsdirect had a typo on their website It got me two free bottles though because of it 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Hmmm. Not sure I fancy carrying that big a bottle, although I did see some soft ones online that I might be able to cope with. More to experiment with😀. But first I may try tipping a shot of concentrated mix into each cup of water on offer - shots on the run 😂😂😂

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Hi Linda, not sure if it’s the same ones but my daughter bought us each a soft bottle and they are a b**ger to clean out and ended up being chucked. They went smelly

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

eew! scratched off my list then! maybe storing them in the freezer, like I do my bladder, would have stopped them going smelly?

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Maybe?? I only had water in mine ever too so don’t know why. I would come home, rinse it out when I did my dishes and then rinse out the bubbles with clear water and upend it to dry

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to limberlou]

How strange!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to limberlou]

I hate to be the one to say it, but 'backwash' from your mouth can contain enough nutrients for microorganisms to grow in your water bottle! You could try using some sterilising fluid (Milton or similar), but the freezer is probably your best bet 😊😊😊

[limberlou Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

🤢

[Sqkr Half Marathon]

I take a small 300ml bottle with concentrated Tailwind in but also take a few gulps of water at the stations during half marathon events to sloosh it down. I've experimented with taking the powder with me in a kinder egg...egg, you know, the bit that comes surrounding the toy, thinking then I'd not need it concentrated and could top up my water bottle but it's far too much of a faff for 20k. Maybe if I was doing a full or certainly an ultra I'd do it that way. I do hate taking a bottle with me though, trouble is if I don't then I fixate on thirst a bit.

I've actually been seduced away from Tailwind a bit lately, into Active Root. Fickle!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks Sqkr - think I might carry a small bottle and then use water stations and my power flapjack if needed!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Sqkr]

Awesome re-using tip though! 😄

[Decker Ultramarathon]

I tried tailwind in the powder form but I now use a similar product called Nuun as it is easier to get here for me. I used one or the other in all my long runs and find it really makes a positive difference in the heat especially. I did not use it so much through the winter runs. Im usually dipping into it around 10-15k, but its different for everyone and weather dependent too I would guess.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker - think I may try some on my next long run to see if I can 'feel' any difference! 🙂

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Also I'm not sure if the Tailwind also comes in tablets, but Nuun does and I split the Nuun tablets in two for a 250ml bottle - to extend the pack life and save a little cost

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Decker]

As far as I can see the tablet versions of Nuun do not contain any carbohydrates. Nuun Endurance is more like Tailwind, but they only sell it in sachets or tubs.

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Good to know - I think I just use the standard Nuun tablets at the moment