RUNNER Tash Fraser says we are lucky in this region to have amazing bush right in our backyard. Ms Fraser encouraged more women to get out and explore.
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From a runner's perspective, Ms Fraser said our forests were a "runners' paradise" but also a great space to clear your thoughts.
New Parks Victoria research shows 82 per cent of women say spending time in nature positively affects their mental health and well-being but two in five women visit bushland six times a year or less. One in two women cite time as a barrier to getting outdoors.
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Findings come ahead of Women's Health Week, which encourages women to put themselves first and make changes that could last a lifetime.
Ms Fraser is a member of Goldfields Trail Runners, which caters to different running distances and paces for more people to enjoy the trails with safety and support of others.
An international ultra-marathon runner, Ms Fraser incorporates a trail run into her program each week.
"Trail running becomes therapeutic when you get away from cars and traffic. It's just you and your thoughts," Ms Fraser said.
"Every run or trail is an adventure, you never know what you're going to find...It takes the focus off time and more about running for enjoyment."
Every run or trail is an adventure, you never know what you're going to find...It takes the focus off time and more about running for enjoyment
Ms Fraser said Ballarat was spoilt for choice with great mountain biking trails, which were also great for runners.
Getting out on trails, she said, was challenging physically - in using different muscles to exercising on streets and suburban spaces - and mentally, for concentrating more on where your feet were landing.
Ms Fraser recommended joining a group or having your phone on you before venturing into a park but said enjoying the bush could be as simple as pulling on your walking or running shoes.
Parks Victoria also suggested planning ahead and visiting parks.vic.gov.au or council websites for more details about routes and what you might see on the way.
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