From Water to Tailwind: My Electrolyte Evolution#
Quick personal story: sweating buckets, cramping, trying to survive a long run with just water.
State the purpose: explaining how different hydration options affect performance, from basic to advanced.
Water: The Beginner’s Mistake#
Why it works for short runs.
Signs you’ve gone past the “just water” zone: headaches, cramps, fatigue.
Personal anecdote of hitting that wall.
Gatorade / Body Armour: The First Step Up#
Liquid I.V. / Nuun: Mid-Level Electrolytes#
The highest level of a “normal” electrolyte mix is Liquid I.V. and some other equivalents. These can be found at most grocery stores.
They work great! Just one caveat, on the package it says you can only have one per day. For a multi hour run that might not be enough and especially if you want to run even further.
Tailwind / Skratch: Purpose-Built for Endurance#
Other Options#
salt tabs. real food (pickles & chips).
How to Choose: A Runner’s Cheat Sheet#
Match your choice to:
Distance
Heat/humidity
Personal sweat rate
Taste tolerance
Include a simple table or chart
What I Use Now (And Why It’s Not Always the Same)#
Your go-to combo for:
Short run
Long training day
Race day
Emphasize experimentation and listening to your body
Finally…#
Remember, electrolytes are not everything as well. If you are having to constantly hydrate during a run it is likely hot and electrolytes are not the saving grace of all things running in the heat. If you want to learn more about running in the heat, read our article on Heat Training