I've been a huge ritz fan ever since I first saw him run in 99 foot locker on espn.
I think he gets labeled as "tough" because ritz never has had one of those wtf races like Webb and hall could always seem to occasionally have. He was always consistent and very competitive anytime he has lined up to race. He raced a wide variety of distances on different terrains . My biggest complaint w ritz was never running an indoor season and realing focusing on his 5k ability after that AR. I think ritz will always be a better 5k runner than 10k and above in terms of the track. I wish after the AR Salazar would had done the indoor/ speed focus that he has often done w rupp.
Asa ritz fan, I believe my three points to prove his toughness would be : 1. Ncaaxc 2003 when he had come off a year of injuries and had very minimal training and out kicked hall in FREEZing conditons. 2. Olympic trials 10k 2012: if needing a top 3 spot and running the standard wasn't tough enough, moments before the start a torrential down pour falls from the sky and ritz still goes out unfazed and he and rupp dictate the pace and accomplishes qualifiying. 3. And lastly, his AR in the 5k. Being the only non African ritz was dfl for first couple laps that went out in 60 and just hung on and grinded and worked his way up and broke a record, I honestly didn't think any true born American would break.