SIU-Edwardsville's Amy Austin is gearing up for a season of lasts.

September is always the busiest time for me and this year is no different. Between a variety of workouts we do to prepare for the upcoming season and the work to be done for classes, it is hard to just sit back and relax during the week, which is why I love weekends! For me, it is a time to look at the assignments due for the upcoming week and plan what I need to get accomplished on the weekend before the hectic schedule starts up again on Monday mornings with an individual workout.

Not that I’m counting down or anything, but we only have about two more weeks of preseason conditioning! I’m sure any basketball player, or any athlete for that matter, will tell you they can’t wait for practice to start up. Although some days I only have one workout to do, I can certainly tell you I won’t miss the times that I have up to four workouts. It is amazing how much your body will allow you to do. Never did I ever think that I could push myself as hard as I am right now. It is all mental though. All of the individual workouts, weights, scrimmaging, and running are all about knowing that your body isn’t going to just break apart. My coaches are always saying to us to get to the uncomfortable stage when we are conditioning. It’s about pushing yourself that extra yard and knowing that when you are done, you are done and accomplished a difficult task.

It is hard to imagine right now, but this is the season of lasts for me. The last time I will fund-raise at a Rams game, last individual workout, and last preseason practice, just to name a few. This time next year, hopefully I will be teaching in a school and possibly coaching a basketball squad. I’m anxious to step into the next stage of my life, but enjoying the moment I have now with everyone around me. I live for the moment and try to take things one day at a time. Hopefully the next time you hear from me we will have started practice and I’m sure I will be overly anxious to get the season underway!

Just a side note as well: I promised a professor I would say hello to him in my next blog, so here it is Dr. Meisel! Bye for now!