Finishing Well

The Trans 333 is a long and pretty brutal race. It is like other desert races in that it is run in the heat and that runners can expect to be out in fearsome terrain including sand dunes, but the key difference is that it is non-stop. This means that there is no chance to recover from blisters, strains or tendonitis and so unless you are very lucky you can expect to experience considerable levels of pain and exhaustion. The length of the Trans 333 also introduces an element of sleep deprivation – no competitor can expect to sleep full nights and to complete the course.

It is very important to ‘manage’ your race, both medically and when it comes to sleep (see Unique Features), even in matters of food. You will become tired and may lose your grip on yourself, so a good system can help you through. There is not much experience and knowledge about (particularly in the UK) on how to get through a race like the Trans 333 -- a bit like the Marathon des Sables ten years ago. However, there are ways of making it easier on yourself, see Unique Features and Tip Top Tips.

It is almost a cliché that extreme races are more of a mental challenge than a physical one. Usually this means the determination to run against an aerobic barrier, the ability to push yourself through the misery and pain. The Trans 333 is different because it touches realms of endurance. You will experience exhaustion that includes sleep deprivation and probably weight-loss. There is another unexpected additional issue -- you are out there for so long, in terrain that is so unvarying and relentless, that you have to be mentally strong to put up with boredom.