Tolerance of pain key to Mirinda Carfrae defending world ironman crown in Hawaii in annual torture test

WORLD champion Mirinda Carfrae has thanked her brothers for a strength she believes will help her defend her Hawaii ironman triathlon crown.

Traithlete Mirinda (correct) Carfrae came second in the prestigious Hawaiian Triathlon last weekend.

WORLD champion Mirinda Carfrae has thanked her brothers for a strength she believes will help her defend her Hawaii ironman triathlon crown on Sunday — one of the highest pain thresholds in the sport.

The former basketballer said being “beaten up’’ by her brothers in sporting stoushes as a youngster had taught her the toughness required to survive and also thrive in arguably the most brutal one-day sporting event in the world.

“My brothers liked to beat me up a bit when we were little. They were never going to let me win anything,’’ laughed Carfrae, who has been based near the race site at Kona for the past week with husband and fellow pro Tim O’Donnell.

“It was always a point of pride with me that I never cried or ran off to mum.

“I think this taught me to be tougher.’’

After setting the Hawaii course record of 8hrs 52min 14 sec en-route to her second world ironman title last year in Carfrae

Carfrae, 33, said winning a race like the 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42,2km run Hawaii ironman is all about pain management.

“Mentally and physically you have to prepare yourself to go to battle,’’ Carfare said.

“It is a long, long day with a lot of pain.

“But I always want it so much. I know that I have to push through every ounce of pain to get there.

“So whoever can cope with it the longest, tolerate it the longest will win.’’

Carfare will rely on her phenomenal run _ which last year saw her beat all but the fastest five men _ to set up a third world title at Kona on Sunday.

The Australian is hoping to reproduce a sub 2hr 50min marathon to clinch victory and become only the fourth female since 1979 to win three or more world ironman titles.

Carfare’s major rivals for the title are expected to include former winner Leanda Cave and fellow British triathlete Rachel Joyce and former Olympic distance racer Daniela Ryf.