The Vagina Monologues (The Ultimate Girl's Night Out)

Mu running routine has ramped up to a whole new level over the past two months and it's been hugely transformative. Since winter soccer ended in early March I’ve been trail running twice a week with a small "band" of ladies from my soccer team. I have to admit, up until now I've always been a dedicated "dyed-in-the-wool" solo runner and perfectly happy that way. But now I have a new love...trail running with my "buddies".

I believe that friends who run together move forward together. Our little band of runners have become partners in growth. We are wide open to change and crave transformation. A run has become more of a moving classroom of sorts as we alternate between student and teacher, listening and leading. It’s not like we are training for the Olympics, or even to win a race. We train to become healthier, stronger, faster, more focused, more balanced, more joyful and better equipped to endure. Not just in running, but in all areas of our lives.

Running with these ladies can be likened to starring in a local episode of the “Vagina Monologues”. Straitlaced conversation just doesn't exist out on the trail, literally “anything” goes and usually does. Our topics of conversation range from the sublime to the bizarre, from the witty to the hilarious, from the lusty to the poignant. After two months of running together, I can honestly say that these ladies are a force of nature to be reckoned with. They are alive with passion and conviction and I love every minute of every run.

Our ages vary across two decades and like a close-knit family sitting down for Sunday dinner, we all bring something different to the table. Some are great planners, organising and strategizing our routes in advance. Some bring strength on the hills. They use this natural talent to pull the pack up and over. Some are good at navigation and keep us all moving in the right direction. Some are inspirational and motivate us when we are in need of morale. Some are comics and use humour to diffuse tension or fatigue. Some are nurses and emotional paramedics. They have the ability to heal or bandage us along the way. Some are the strong, silent type. You can’t put your finger on exactly what they bring to the table until you run without them and then you realise their constancy fills a hole that leaks energy in their absence. Some are seasoned runners, others bring new perspectives. Some are chroniclers, they remember every route and every story. Some are grammarians who invent new and interesting words as we run. Some follow instruction, some follow the pack, some follow their hearts, but together, we are complete.

Last weekend one of our ladies ran in her first race - a 10k in Victoria. She didn't run with our group, but she carried a little piece of all us with her as she ran. We knew this experience would shape and refine her. We knew that some miles would be easy and light and some miles would be arduous like wading through heavy mud. We knew that her experience on hills would serve her well. We knew that crossing that finish line she would be victorious and triumphant. She was brave and strong and new. And we were all as proud of her as if we had run the race ourselves.

Running is important to us. It is a catalyst for many other things and it cuts across the crap that muddies life in other areas. Running with my buddies has made me stronger and faster. I run longer. I run farther. And I run more hills. More often than not, I push my own limits. Running gives me a sense of vigor and empowerment. It rejuvenates me.


I don't know if running has changed my life or if I changed my life for running. But who cares? My feet keep moving, my arms keep pumping and my week would not be the same if I didn't get in some quality time with my sure-footed, fast-talkin' buddies. Every run is an adventure and adventure is good for the soul.

female adj the art of being all things to everyone at all times

woman n, pl women the art of being all things to everyone at all times and still wearing makeup

lady n, pl -dies the art of being all things to "certain" people at all times

mother n (see guilt) all of the above and much much more

- from "The Vagina Monologues" By Eve Ensler