Pain? How do I cope? How do I push through it?

For me it is purely selfish. I think back on the 340lb guy that could barely walk up a flight of stairs. I think of that guy whos kids could not get their arms around him. That pain was far worse than any I have had to endure on the bike. When the pain gets bad, I just think about that 340lb guy and how I never want to see him in the mirror again.

Now, my kids can get their arms all the way around me and close their hands. Now, I can ride a century. Now, I'm living a better life. The pain has been worth it!