The Air in August

I miss the way the air felt at the beginning of August. It just felt different because it meant one thing…volleyball season. Man it just hit different. Everything about that time of year was just it. It was fresh, exciting, high spirited, so much optimism, so much opportunity. 

There’s nothing quite like putting on your shoes for the first time that Monday morning. Volleyball shoes if you’re fortunate enough, but usually it was tennis shoes first for testing. I truly didn’t care tho, I lived for this time of year. Every ounce of it. 

I have a confession…I loved three a days. If you played with me, this is not breaking news at all!!

I loved being so sore that I could hardly get out of bed.

I loved spending all day along with my teammates, except for when I didn’t!

I loved the team dinners and eating such good food. I wish I hadn’t been afraid to eat more of it back then. 

I didn’t totally hate the shin splints I had all week from the shoe + court combo either (ok but I didn’t love it).  

It almost makes my stomach hurt how I can just about feel all of this so closely and emotionally, but can’t physically experience it anymore. This will be my 4th year not starting a new season (almost cried typing that number bc how is that possible). It doesn’t hurt as bad as it did in year 1, but the longing for all of it hasn’t gone away. It hurts in a way that’s tough to explain unless you’ve been here.

So if you’re lucky enough to put your shoes on, court or tennis shoes, don’t take it for granted. 

When you physically cannot get out of your dorm bed, tuck and roll.

If you’re able to spend so much time with your teammates that you can’t stand each other, take it one step further and tell another joke they’ll all hate. 

When you have the opportunity to take an ice bath, you better take it. It’s not supposed to be fun, it’s literally ice. 

When you’re offered seconds at the team dinner, take them. And yes, eat the dessert too. You’ll be okay!

If the air feels different for you in August, take a moment to soak it all up. Immerse yourself in the month of August, and enjoy all the shin splints and inside jokes that come with it. You won’t get this time back. I know you “hate it”…but I also know you’re probably lying. 

Signed, 

A retired #10