I think my background in running is what allows me to stuff the pain/exhaustion and keep pushing. There's a 'mental toughness' that I feel like competitive running imparted that I might not have had by biking alone. When you're on your feet, there's no coasting. You can alter your pace but you still have to keep the legs churning in order to get back home. I made up my mind at some point never to let a hill conquer me or make me walk it and became a pretty fair climber in the process. Can't say the same thing for mountain biking. Yeah, sometimes in a group ride I'll try gutting out some climb (not always the easiest decision on a 40 lb. trailbike), just for the bragging rights of saying I did it; other times I'm content to let the hill win and make me finish it pushing. I remind myself there's a fun descent on the other side and I may as well have some legs left to enjoy it
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