Cultural Program Memo from the School at Jacob's Pillow

I received my packet of info yesterday from the School at Jacob's Pillow. There are a variety of documents -- checklists, dress codes, schedule of performances, a medical-history form, policies and guidelines, etc etc. One of the documents, entitled, "Cultural Program Memo", opens with a section called "Arrival", which reads as follows (italics and boldfacing are mine):

"The Cultural Traditions Program demands a great deal of stamina, so be sure to arrive physically fit and rested. This will ease the first week of soreness, reduce risk of injury, and enable you to get the most from the program faculty. (Reread the previous sentences and take them to heart.) You are dancing full out from 9am to 5:30 daily. Faculty will assess the group's capability very quickly given that there are only four days to create and rehearse prior to each week's presentation. Be prepared that evenings are spent attending performances, talks, researching in the Archives, or catching up on rest."

Holy shit, what have I gotten myself into? I only take 4-5 dance classes a week now, and those are only 2 hours long or less and I can barely get through them without feeling tired. Granted, I'll be on vacation when I'm at the Pillow, and so won't have the distraction of my 9-5 job that saps my energy normally, but I'm worried that I may be in a little over my head. I was talking to this musician I recently met the other day about how I was accepted to this program, and he was familiar with Jacob's Pillow, and the conversation went something like this:

"Thank the lord, I'm escaping Manhattan for two weeks this summer to go to the Berkshires. I'm dancing in one of the programs at Jacob's Pillow."

"Oh yeah, I know Jacob's Pillow. That's really prestigious. [He squints at me]. Uh, how old are you? Like, 35, right?"

"Yes, I'm 35. I guess I'm a little bit older than the typical Pillow student."

"Isn't it, like, mostly high-school age students??"

[Diane resists urge to reach across table and punch guy in face.]

"Um, I dunno. I've never been there. Maybe. Whatever. Let's talk about something else."

I expressed my fears to my personal trainer, Anton. I asked him for advice on how to shore up my stamina. He suggested swimming, which is not feasible, since I have no access to a pool. Then he suggested running, which, again, is not feasible, because dancers simply do not run. Too hard on the knees. Then he just told me to eat more protein.

And he also said, "You're in for a RUDE awakening."

Uh, thanks, Anton.