Crossing Over to the Dark Side...Literally

I (Mike) joined a new training program last week, called Performance Project Base Camp .

"This program is for experienced distance runners who are looking to take their running to the next level. " Ummm... am I in the right program?

The program meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30am for group run workouts, then on Saturdays we merge in with the Chicago/New York Marathon training group, and the Summer long run program at 6am for our long runs.

I know what you’re thinking, and I had that same thought. "I’m not getting up at 5:30!"
So far we’ve had to sessions, and it’s been weird to have the alarm ring at 4:42am, slurp up a bowl of cereal, get my ass in gear and get there by 5:25, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. After all, Marla has been getting up between 4:30 and 4:47am going on 4, maybe 5 years now, and she hasn't grown a third arm, so I think I’ll be OK. I hope.

I’m supposed to run on my own 4 other days, for a total of 6 days a week, but I’ve already decided that 5 days is plenty. I don't do 6 days a week. My days off will be Friday and Sunday or Monday.

As my last program focused on Short Distance races, in the last 2 months, I’d run 6 miles twice and then nothing more than 3-4 miles. Saturday we ran 10 miles. Ouch… I was ready to walk after 7, but didn’t. (“Can’t let the terrorists win!” Tim (aka Lupedawg) -Spring 2006-) Thanks Chris... our conversation helped.

This morning, we did a total of 6 miles (1 warm up, 4 workout miles, and 1 cool down). [M1- 7:28, M2- 7:18, M3- 7:58, M4- 7:06] I felt I did average.

This program will be challenging, but I’m really looking forward to it.
Is it Thursday tomorrow!?