Ever had that sinking feeling while running an ultra-marathon? Or a 100-mile cycling race?

No?

Well, there are endurance athletes who have, and they need something more than a typical sports drink or water to keep going.

Jeff Vierling discovered that while cycling the Leadville 100. Sports drinks made him cramp and feel queasy. At the end of the race, his legs were still strong, but he had an unfortunate stomach episode. It turns out a lot of other endurance athletes experience the same thing.

Thinking there must be a better way, he began mixing his own drink mix in his kitchen with the help of his wife, Jenny. After a couple of years of fine-tuning, he hit the right formula, then he started sharing it with some friends and fellow competitors.

Soon he was selling little bags of drink mix out of the back of his vehicle, to the consternation of race officials and local police.

So he began making the drink on a commercial scale. Needing more room for manufacturing, he moved the company out to Bayfield this spring.

Leasing the front half of the old Steamworks building, Tailwind Nutrition is now in production. Once some more mixing and shipping equipment has arrived, Tailwind production should kick into high gear this summer just in time for their busy season of summer cycling events and marathons.

In the meantime, they're unloading 2,000-pound crates of glucose by hand. The staff is looking forward to the arrival of a forklift soon.

A commercial-grade epoxy floor has been added. Each bag also is x-rayed to make sure no metal parts or shavings have accidentally ended up inside.

Tailwind staff recently hosted a tour of the building for town officials and members of the La Plata Economic Development Alliance.

Instead of just selling drink mix, Vierling and his staff want to create an experience with the customers.

They put a note in each box from the athletes' "support crew," along with information on using nutrition to their advantage.

"The Tailwind family is very loyal," said John Baxter, an advisor to the business. Tailwind sells the product in retail locations as well, and it's carried in stores because of customer requests.

Vierling said he asks each retailer to have a staff member on hand who uses his product, and he also educates them on Tailwind's benefits.

He wants to focus on personal interaction and support, not just getting a purchase, he said.

There are 140 retail shops nationwide, and the company hopes to have 200 by the end of this year.

Mountain Bike Specialists in Durango was the first retailer, placing an order for $400.

Although initially designed for runners and cyclists, Tailwind is finding new niche markets, including rock climbers, paddle boarders, and search and rescue crews. Wildland firefighters might be a good market, as well.

And no, Tailwind is not a diet drink.

Each serving has 100 to 200 calories, depending on how the client wants to mix it.

If you're lying on the coach sucking it down, you're going to gain weight, Vierling said with a laugh.

Vierling also credits local agencies and businesses with helping Tailwind get off the ground. Ska Fabricating, which cans the brewery's beer in Durango, was an invaluable resource. Zuke's Treats, the purveyors of dog and cat goodies, gave them advice on entering the Australian market. The La Plata Economic Development Alliance provided support and business advice. Tailwind met with Region 9 regarding Enterprise Zone tax credits, state incentives and working with the Town of Bayfield.

Along with increased orders, Tailwind employees get satisfaction on a personal level, as well.

Vierling said he had a client call in tears recently, happy because she had completed a 100-mile cycling event. She had tried for several years and couldn't complete it. Tailwind Nutrition was the difference, she said.