It's true! Triathletes are tougher than the rest of us

It has long been my feeling that part of what makes a good (or great) athlete is the ability to suffer..... And for most it is a learned ability. People who compete in high level athletics from a young age learn that suffering is just part of sport. If you want to get better you have to push yourself to the point that you are hurting and then break through.

I suspect that this same study applied to hard-core marathoners or elite level masters swimmers or top rock climbers or speed skaters would yield similar results; that the top level athletes will be much more able to tolerate pain/discomfort than the recreational athletes.

If someone wants to get better at triathlon they are going to have to figure out how to deal with some daily discomfort..... and like it!