For those who are new to Tailwind Nutrition, marathons and ultras or to the world of running as a whole, use this page as a basic guide on how to use Tailwind Nutrition.
Everyone's body works slightly differently, so we recommend experimenting slightly with your Tailwind/water ratios while training until you find the perfect combination that suits you.
The general rule of using Tailwind is to mix one Stickpack (or 2-3 multiserving bag scoops) with 500-750ml of water, and sip this mixture little and often over the course of one hour.
E.g. If you're aiming to finish a marathon in 4 hours look to use 4 stickpacks, 5 hours? 5 stickpacks
Tailwind provides all the energy you need for a race, you do not need to supplement it with gels.
Only use Tailwind when training/exercising for 2+ hours, you won't experience the full benefit of Tailwind on shorter activities such as a 10k.
You won't get much from drinking Tailwind before you start exercising; And it is best to wait until you're 2-4 miles in until you start drinking, so your body has time to start naturally burning the energy which Tailwind replenishes.
No 'gut bombs' when using Tailwind!
We sell sample packs featuring one of each of our flavours, so you can find the taste you love most!
We have both caffeinated and non-caffeinated flavours.
How to take Tailwind during a road marathon:
Having to refill your hydropack mid-race or carry 4 different bottles is not ideal. That's why for a road race (such as the TCS London Marathon) we have the following advice:
Mix together 4 stickpacks with roughly 600ml of water (the amount of water varies depending on the capacity of your bottle/hydropack). This will create a very concentrated mixture with an almost gel like texture. Look to sip through this one mixture over the course of the whole race. This mixture will be much more concentrated and possess a stronger flavour than usual, so use water from aid stations to wash it down and keep yourself hydrated.
NB - This example is for goal times of around 4 hours, increase/decrease the number of stickpacks used depending on how long you think you will be running for (3 hours? use 3 stickpacks, 5 hours? 5 stickpacks are what you'll need).
Tapering Tips from one of our Trailblazers, Gemma Scott
Tapering- the dreaded part of Marathon Training.This is the most frustrating time in a marathon runners training routine. You don't think you have done enough and by not running as much in the 2-3 weeks leading up to the marathon you have all of a sudden lost all fitness. Your body starts aching and things start to hurt which i can assure you is completely normal and is what us runners call "Maranoia". I have it happen every time and it still doesn't get any easier!!My advice is stick to your plan. Trust your training, you won't lose fitness by not going out and running the 40-50+ miles you were doing 2 weeks ago. Your body naturally needs to recover so it can be in it's best possible shape for race day. Don't start trying new foods in the week leading up to the marathon and certainly not the night before. This also goes for nutrition on race day too. Your breakfast on race day and nutrition during the race should all be tried and tested during your training so your body knows it can cope with digesting it.My biggest mistake in the 2 days leading up to a marathon which i think is so important to stress is don't do too much walking and sightseeing especially the day before. You need to get sat down and rested as much as you can so you don't overdo it before the race.
and another Tailwind Trailblazer, Daz'n'Bone has some last minute tips
Daz 'n' Bone Last Minute Tips
So you are in the last 48 hours before the race. What can you do.
Firstly don't reinvent the wheel. Literally zillions of runners have successfully done marathons and most of them have printed a checklist from the internet. The legend James "Curly' Williams has - go grab his pre-race checklist- print it off and do it.
What daznbone want to share are the fringe things - the marginal gains stuff - the bits to put your Chimp back in it’s brain cage.
1. Love thyself - love thy nails and nipples- whatever happens Marathons are a healthy pursuit and therefore be proud that you are doing this. You can extend the love by getting out some nail clippers and nail files and trimming your toe-nails **BE CAREFUL - don’t overtrim - that can be a disaster - go slow and be gentle - climax with some sweet smelling oils. Love your feet and they will reward you. Same applies to crotch and nipples - don't slack on creams and jelly that will prevent rashes - nothing worse that dealing with blood, blisters or sore bits whilst in mid marathon flow
2. Be British - Obsess about the Weather. So much can dictate your marathon flow by the change in weather. Be prepared. You may end up hanging around for a while at the start - don't get cold - take something that can be thrown into one of the ReRun boxes by the side (ahem....an idea me thinks). Will your head and face and neck get exposed to the soaring sun - get some sun-cream on BUT please don’t put it near your eyes - don't get irritable sweaty/cream eyes - you will need your eyes so look after them. If it rains (or even if it’s scorching hot and the organisers have laid on water sprinklers) be careful of chaffing - Please check Point 1 again - do whatever you can to prevent getting rubbed nipples or wet-feet syndrome. Some runners swear by “vaselining” their feet - some put blister powder on them - they all make sure that their socks are fairly new - please don’t wear your lucky old socks - those blisters won’t be lucky old blisters!