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I entered into the ultramarathon scene in 2017 when I signed up for a 50k in Michigan. From there, my miles increased and I just haven’t stopped. As I started signing up for 100 and 200 mile races, I knew I had to fine tune my nutrition. A friend had introduced me to Tailwind. I had no idea what it was and at the time, I think Tailwind just had their Endurance Fuel. Since then, I have tried other endurance products but keep coming back to Tailwind Nutrition. It is tasty, clean and really keeps my energy and electrolytes up without upsetting my gut.
Tailwind started in 2012 when the founder, a resident of Durango, Colorado, tossed his cookies after the Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race. He was determined to find a race fuel that could be used during a long effort and not upset your gastrointestinal system. Many sugary race fuels leave athletes throwing up or worse yet, getting diarrhea. Who wants that during a race? I am a faithful user of Tailwind and their Endurance Fuel so this summer, while training for the Leadville 100 Trail Run, I decided to give some of their other products a try.
What Tailwind Nutrition Has To Offer
Tailwind Nutrition recognizes that not all athletes have the same taste tolerance or nutritional needs during running. While the epicenter of Tailwind’s success is their Endurance Fuel, they also offer a Recovery Mix protein powder and a Rapid Hydration drink mix. Each has it’s own combination of flavors and most come in caffeinated and non-caffeinated varieties. All of Tailwind’s products are vegan, gluten-free and dairy free.
I am a runner so the remainder of my review will focus on how I used it for that purpose. Tailwind Nutrition has so many other uses, also. I use it while kayaking, during a hard day of yard work and I recently sent some to my daughter for her long physical training days in the police academy. Whatever your activity, Tailwind will work to keep you properly fueled.
Tailwind Endurance Fuel
Tailwind Nutrition has really done the research to make a simple product that can keep you fueled all day and won’t upset your stomach. I can’t pretend to know all the science behind the success of Tailwind’s Endurance Fuel but I can try to explain it simply. The Endurance Fuel is a combination of salts and sugars. Tailwind blended together Dextrose and cane sugar then combined it with a variety of salts to include sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. The varied sugars absorb at different rates so that your gut is not overwhelmed with a pounding of sweetness. The variety of salts are the magic combination to replace the lost electrolytes you sweat out during exercise.
The Tailwind Endurance fuel is a powdered mixture that mixes clear and doesn’t junk up your running bottles. The powdered mixture has come in so handy through many of my races. I always keep a single serve packet in my race vest. Ultra-marathon aid stations are notorious for watering down their provided race fuel. As I raced this summer, I often times added an extra pack of tailwind to the race’s provided drink for extra calories and to make sure that I was getting enough electrolytes. If I am feeling a little depleted, I can make my mixture stronger.
The Endurance Fuel comes in a single serve packet (about 50 carbs) or 50 and 30 servings bags with a scoop. The Endurance Fuel is high in carbs to really keep up your blood sugar during a long and rigorous effort. The taste is sweet and the flavors are light. Tailwind does a nice job of not over flavoring the Endurance Fuel which can cause flavor fatigue during a really long race. Thank you for that! If you tend to do shorter runs or don’t need as many carbs but still need electrolytes, check out Tailwind’s Rapid Hydration.
Tailwind Rapid Hydration
With this summer’s order, Tailwind’s Rapid Hydration was a new product to me. Tailwind designed the Rapid Hydration for shorter efforts where hydration and electrolytes may still be necessary, but not as many calories. I used this product all summer on my shorter runs under 6 miles or for days when I was doing shorter speedwork. I also found myself using the Rapid Hydration when I was hiking with my husband or just out on the water on a hot day.
Rapid Hydration is a small little packet easy to stick in your pocket or wallet. It contains just a fraction of the carbs (12 grams) compared to the Endurance Fuel (50 grams). This is great for short efforts, hot easy days or just an active lifestyle. It is an excellent way to keep your electrolytes in check. With added Vitamin C, the electrolytes will absorb much more quickly than water alone and you will be adequately hydrated.
The Rapid Hydration can be purchased in individual packets by flavor or in a variety pack. It is powdered and mixes clear. It comes in five non-caffeinated flavors. I thought the flavor was very light in the recommended mixture with 24 ounces of water and was very refreshing. The name was recently changed from Active Hydration to Rapid Hydration
Tailwind Recovery Mix
Fueling after your run is just as important as what you consume during. Replenishing the calories burned and supplying the necessary protein to rebuild and repair is essential. Recovery Mix is a vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free protein power. They start with a rice protein and add in nine essential amino acids to make it a complete protein. It contains a 4:1 carbs/protein combination for the most effective rebuild around.
The Recovery Mix is available in 4 flavors (chocolate is my favorite). The Coffee flavor Recovery Mix is caffeinated, all others are not. If you are not used to eating vegan protein powder, you may think this tastes a little different than expected. I felt that it tasted a little salty but not unpleasant. It mixed smooth in my shaker bottle and goes down easy after a long run. Be sure to use it right after your run when your muscles are most hungry for recovery.
Nutrition Information
Tailwind Nutrition: A Sure Thing on Race Day
Tailwind has been my go-to for years. I have on occasion tried different brands that have claimed to be better but always come back here. Tailwind was, once again, reliable in this years Leadville 100 Trail Run and I plan to use it again in November at the Indiana Trail 100. The clean, easy-to-drink fuel is all I need for most of the day. While I do supplement with gels and some real food in a 100 mile race, Tailwind is all I will drink. I never get flavor fatigue or a belly that revolts because of what I’m drinking. It is so easy to keep my nutrition on track and tweak the concentration if I need more during the later miles of a race.
If you haven’t tried Tailwind, I would encourage you to do so. They are a company that really resonates in the ultra-running community. They will even write your name on the bag in magic marker so that you know they have given it some personal care. Check out Tailwind’s website and order some for yourself at tailwindnutrition.com or amazon.com.
Or better yet, try the Tailwind Challenge. Where you bundle together four 50 serving bags of your flavor preference and enjoy them at 10% off. Train with it, race with it, and if it doesn’t blow you away, mail Tailwind your race entry fee receipt for a refund.**Limited to four 50 serving bags, price is reflected in the add to cart button once all four bags have been selected. It is recommended to purchase these at least 6 weeks prior to your race. For reimbursement, send a description of your experience along with your entry fee receipt and proof that you started the event to Tailwind. Maximum reimbursement will not exceed $150. Cannot be combined with additional discounts such as the TRYTAILWIND15 coupon code. Info for the Tailwind Challenge can be found at tailwindnutrition.com/products/tailwind-challenge.