there is one common thread between all of these athletes.

and the more i am here around them the more it stands out.

.

mental toughness.

.

if you were to hold tryouts and gauge their pure athleticism

a lot of these athletes would not make your team.

but if you were here to see how they handle their business,

you would pick them all.

.

they are willing to do the work to achieve their goals

they do not expect to have anything given to them

they do not expect to run a race that is more than they earned.

they do not complain when things get tough

they do not back away from discomfort.

they do not flinch.

.

it is inspiring just to watch them

hour after hour.

even when one is in trouble

they face it without a complaint.

.

of course this is what i should have expected.

when you put together a field of the best in the world

at a game that is predicated on mental toughness.

.

these people are amazing.