This is interesting, about David Millar. He rode most of the last big mountain stage alone and in pain, but he didn't want to quit even if he missed the time cut.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mill...n-through-pain

I like his comment about breaking the big climb into 5k segments. That's a good technique when you're suffering and have a long way to go -- although my segments tend to be much shorter, i.e., to the next telephone poll. But still, it can help you get to the end.