Going Into The Tunnel

Most of the time, I can't hear the music.

Once we're about 15 seconds into the workout, I have limited hearing capacity in my Tunnel of Pain.

Only at certain times does a song break through: like during transitions from one movement to another. Or on the rower. Or at the end, when I'm finished and can breathe again.

But mostly, I go into the Tunnel.

It's some black void with no sound other than my own breathing. I don't know how to explain it, but it's been that way my whole life.

Stepping into the batter's box, taking a foul shot, racing a mountain bike, doing "The  Chief": it doesn't matter what noise happens or what somebody yells, I can't hear them.

Occasionally, a voice breaks through the Tunnel: usually that of a respected coach or friend, someone I really trust.

And if they speak in a soft voice, I can hear them more clearly. Yell and they might as well be mimes.

Does this happen to you when you work out? Or do you hear the music?

I used to think that hearing the music was a sign that I wasn't going hard enough into the pain, although I'm not so certain of that anymore.

So tell me, who goes into the Tunnel? And who hears the music?