Run Forrest Run!

Over the past few years I've fallen in love with running. It's an effective, free and fun activity you can do absolutely anywhere, anytime. 

In case you haven't heard, I'm a total travel junkie. Moving country and being frequently 'on the move' makes it hard to commit to just one gym or health club. So running is my drug and the easiest way to get fit fast with a transient lifestyle.

Chuck on a quality sports bra, a breathable top, decent pair of sports socks to prevent blisters. Then grab your sneakers, a hat and, for those who can't move without tunes, your iPod and you'll be ready to rumble!

I've been blessed enough to run in a number of epic locations. From the 'Rocky' steps in Philadelphia, to the canals of London, through snowy streets of Toronto, the New Jersey waterfront where I could see views of New York City, the suburbs of Santiago and parklands in Bosnia Herzegovina. But want to know the best bit? You can run right here in Perth: around Herdsman Lake, through Kings Park, along the beachfront, at Perry Lakes, through your local suburbs. The list is endless (as will be your passion for smashin' the pavement after a couple of jogs!)

Epic ocean views from the jogging path 

by Hillarys Marina

Running burns calories quickly helping you to achieve weight loss, increases your cardiovascular health, strengthens your bones, stimulates your mood and improves your coordination.

Make the most of the remaining sunny weather and exercise outdoors NOW. Release those positive endorphins, sweat out the stress. Run today, you'll smile tonight (and don't forget to stretch, or you'll feel mighty sore tomorrow!)

A rusty old ride

I recently discovered an old bike in the back of our garden shed. Covered in cobwebs and rusted almost beyond repair. Almost... but not quite ;)

Bikes have never ever been my thing, it took me years to learn to ride and after a number of accidents on both regular bikes and motorbikes on my cousin's farm I'm super cautious of anything that requires balancing on two wheels.

However, those who know me well know just how much I love a challenge. In fact I'm generally the girl who chooses the hard road (rather than than the easy one) time and time again. Mid 2007 I camped for three months through Europe in rather rustic conditions. We fit two people into a one man tent! A few years later I again travelled, solo this time, on Euroline buses and packed in as much quality sightseeing as possible on a shoestring budget. On my visit to New York a friend gave me a book filled with cheap and FREE things to do in New York City. Still remember how outrageously excited I was. Must be one of the only girls in the world who wanted to go to New York and NOT spend money... hahaha.

Reading back through this I realise I sound like a total cheap-skate. But I honestly believe there's more to it than that. I like the challenge of conquering things on a budget. I like believing when there's a will, there's a way. I like the feeling of actually earning the right to enjoy an experience. Monetarily, physically, mentally and emotionally earning it.

In a nutshell I like a challenge I guess!

The point is, when I found this rusted up old bike I was excited. I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself. With a little help from my dad we got the brakes oiled up, scraped off a little rust and I took her for a spin. The seat's a little low and the chain clunks on and off regularly, but all in all the bike works. Will take longer to cycle to the train station than take the bus each way, but I am on a 'finding fitness' challenge after all.

So the plan is to buy myself a bike lock (hey, a girl's gotta spend SOME money!) ;) and cycle to the train station when I can. Due to my rather irrational bike riding phobia I will set the initial bike to train station goal as once a fortnight... As we push on towards the hot summer months I may feel the urge to substitute bike riding for something less sweltering. But keep posted for my cycling progress and updates. Wish me luck!

'Finding Fitness', the challenge is on!

Running the 8km Harry's Spring Run-Off for
prostate cancer. Toronto, Ontario at High Park.
April 2, 2011

My overseas travels really helped highlight my personal passions, while the inspiration I've gained from international friendships is absolutely priceless. I now know people around the world who really embrace life, love, health and fitness - these friends and their positive energy have made a lasting impact!

In recent years I've realised that I am an adventurer, in every sense imaginable. Those who know me well recognise that I constantly seek the next step, the next challenge and the next opportunity.

In all honesty being a transient soul can be very draining. I can tell you from them heart it's not easy to frequently 'begin again'. The journey I chose to take meant regularly leaving behind people, cities and lifestyles that I lived in and loved. Therefore I have (for the time being at least!) returned happily to home soil and am loving everything about being back in Perth, Western Australia.

I have been desperately seeking a way to strike the perfect balance: provide sustenance to my inherently adventurous soul while at the same time develop and rebuild my network of friends and loved ones here at home. I think I have found a solution...

I've decided to blog about my search to 'Finding Fitness' in Perth. My idea is to seek out and explore a huge range of local fitness opportunities available to both men and women. Pilates, yoga, zumba, boxfit, personal training, bootcamps, belly dancing... I want to try it all.

I spent all morning searching online for avenues to find a one-hit-wonder website I could use to check out EVERYTHING fitness related in Perth. No such luck as far as I can see. So I will use this forum to share with you all of my 'Finding Fitness' experiences in our local community. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen. I'll post photos, links and information on the various classes I attend and the trainers I meet along the way. In return I'd love to hear your feedback about the fitness sessions you attend and love, whether in Perth City or abroad.

My dream is that everyone who reads this will learn about the wide range of fitness options available in Perth (and beyond!) and become inspired to try out the style that appeals to them. So stay tuned and check back in shortly to hear more about the first steps of of my latest and greatest 'Finding Fitness' adventure.

Dream it. Live it. Love it. Share it.
- Ginny xox

Turning 10: Taste for Travel Begins

My first snow experience!
Skiing in Sweden with dad.
 April 1994 (age 10).

Growing up in the world's most isolated city has it's perks, but also disadvantages too. One issue faced by many West Australians is the massive distance separating them from the rest of the Western world. Literally. Distance is a BIG thing in WA, where reaching another capital city requires a flight or extremely long, flat drive along a straight stretch of dusty road through the 'treacherous' Aussie outback ;)

Cultural isolation is something my family has always epically persevered against. Dad committed to taking each of his four youngsters on an overseas adventure the year we turned 10 to open our blissfully ignorant eyes to the big wide world.

So around the time of my 10th birthday it was explained to me that I would be joining my dad on a trip to Sweden, London and Paris to 'see the world'. I took extended leave from primary school and spent a month exploring. From my first steps in snow, being awed by Stockholm's epic ice-sculptures and getting bogged while tobogganing - Sweden immediately captured my interest. "These people eat cheese and jam on biscuits for breakfast!" I chirped down the 'telephon' to mum. ('Telephon' being the only Swedish word I was able to pick up with ease throughout my two week stay). I visited a Swedish high school where I was interrogated by classmates with dreadlocks and nose-rings sitting with their feet on desks asking if I really did own a pet kangaroo called Skippy...

Internationally recognised brands blaze
brightly on electronic billboards over
London's famous Piccadilly Circus

The rush of London nearly bowled me over as I clambered to the top of red double decker busses, elbowed through crowds to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and join masses of minors enraptured by the magic of Hamley's Toy Shop. Posing by red post-boxes and trotting through the Tower of London I viewed various highlights of old England with my dad and uncle by my side. Grandma was so proud of us all!

Parisienne cheese shop...
Gourmet gurus eat your heart out!

Three days to fit in Paris would exhaust even the most experienced of travellers. Plus with the Parisian metro on strike we were forced to conquer the city on foot! Nonetheless we climbed the Eiffel Tower, visited the Louvre, Arc De Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and Centre Pompidou, plus took the Bateaux Mouches along the river Seine. All the while re-energising with croissants, eclairs, baguettes...

Needless to say, my first trip abroad was an extremely eye-opening experience. It definitely highlighted how different the real world was outside of my familiar comfort zone and whet my appetite to see more of the big wide world. Much, much more!

Welcome to my world!

Wanna hear a story about a 25 year old girl who's lived in 4 continents, travelled through 28 countries and met people from all over the globe?!

I've had a fabulous life and I've got a million tales to tell. Read on to learn about my latest and greatest adventures... In a nutshell - welcome to my world! ;)