DIY Hydration Mix: Why I Started Making My Own Ultra Fuel

Ultra running expenses add up fast—race entries, travel, gear…all part of the adventure. But paying premium prices for gels and drink mixes? That’s one cost that doesn’t exactly spark joy.

After a sweat test confirmed that I’m not a salty sweater (I lose around 500mg of sodium per liter), I struggled to find a drink mix that worked for me. Most commercial options were either too salty or too low in carbs. What I wanted was about 60–75g of carbohydrates and 300mg of sodium per 20oz bottle — something between Scratch and Tailwind.

During my last race, I used a Nuun tablet for electrolytes and relied on gels for carbs, but that system won’t cut it for my next big race: the HURT 100. I’ll be running with poles the entire race, making it tough to open gels mid-climb.

So, I decided to make my own. My recipe:

• 40g maltodextrin

• 20g fructose

• 1 Nuun tablet (for now — soon I’ll switch to sodium citrate + lime powder)

  I used a scale to weigh out these measurements

  
  

That combo gives me exactly what I need—the right sodium, the right carbs, no stomach upset, and way less waste.

In contrast, my husband is a moderate sweater, losing about 1,200mg of sodium per liter of water. His salt needs are higher—around 700mg per bottle—and his carb needs are greater, too. By making our own drink mixes, we don’t have to buy different products or compromise on ratios. He can simply add a bit more sodium citrate and extra carbs to his bottles, while I keep mine lighter.

It’s cheaper, fully customizable, and surprisingly simple to mix up a batch that meets both of our needs.

My plan for HURT: take a gel only at the bottom of big climbs or at aid stations, and rely on my custom mix for the rest. But we might make our own gels next!

Sometimes, the best fueling strategy is the one you build yourself.

Need help figuring out the best ratio for you? Leave me a comment!