Tour de Central Coast by Fixi & Ferry

Today was my best training ride so far.

In 10 days time I'm going to ride 180km

(as part of the Busselton Ironman) and I

hadn't ridden over 100km before today.

It was also a great chance to take Morrisson

the Fixi for an outing. I think it was his first

time on the Central Coast...

The real breakthrough was my mental approach.

When you aren't fit and you need to ride 180 km

you need to tailor your approach! Sometimes its

hard to ignore the voice that tells you that you're

feeling great and should 'go for it'! What worked

for me was to just enjoy the experience and stop

for a wee break whenever I felt like it.

Certainly a different mindset than when I was

trying for a Kona Slot!!!

I mapped the route using a great tool

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com
I did it in two chunks so as to omitt the ferry.

Narrabeen to Palm Beach:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2413185

Ettalong to Narrabeen:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2413219

The software has some odd ideas about navigating.
It seemed to think the Old Pac Hwy was one way so
generated some interesting detours! I think I got it
right in the end but I'd be interested to see how a
bike speedo compares to 'as the crow'. It came out

as a total of 165. but I'd like to think it was closer

to the 180 mark and in any case Busso will be less

distance in energy terms so I think I will survive.

The ferry ride is a beaut - $10 from Palmy to Ettalong

and 25 minutes trip time. Ferry timetable is at

www.palmbeachferry.com.au if you are interested.

Carl Honore

This guy has written a couple of really interesting books that I'd like to get my hands on.

He has an interesting perspective on the changing landscape of childhood and makes a strong case from the point of view of common sense. His blog is a great read!

A New Mission

OK guys so here is the scoop.

I've entered an Ironman race in just over 6 weeks time.

On Sunday 7th December I will:

Swim 3.8km (2.4mi)

Ride 180km (112mi)

Run 42km (26mi)

My aims is to complete the event and enjoy every moment of it.

This will be my 5th Ironman start. For the first 3 I tried to go as fast as I could and my times were 9:32 (Forster 04), 9:24 (Forster 05) and 9:33 (Kona 05). The last one (Taupo 07) was 'just for fun' and I came home in 12:44.

This time I'll be doing some preparation so lets see what I can do with the time remaining...

I entered the race yesterday and can feel my focus sharpening.

Now that I have 'definitely committed' myself each day will be a fresh beginning. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Says it better than I could! Right now its 20:32 and I'm going to 'begin' by going to bed!

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me to pin on a number again!

Dunstan

Save the Murray Darling!

I need your help on this one, there are 2 petitions that I'd like you to sign 'cause I think its a really important cause.
One is through Getup! and the other at rivermurray.com.
They are both quick and easy and don't ask for much information.



When I went to visit Biggsy and the crew for some TI training up in Cunnamulla there had been some pretty massive rainfall and the river was flowing strong! This amount of water is actually really uncommon and hardly any of it will make it out to sea.

It was quite amazing and also quite humbling to discover that this flow up in Queensland becomes the Darling and joins with the Murray that starts in the Snowy Mountains.

The Murray-Darling Basin covers one seventh of the whole of Australia and meets the ocean at Lake Alexandria which is South of Adelaide and just downriver the town of Murray Bridge. It seems like all the land to the West of the Great Dividing Range in 4 states feeds in. There is a good map here.

Well the problem is that water can be really scarce in Australia and there is a huge strain on supplies. Lack of water in the river system brings death and permanent damage to large ecosystems. Seemingly there are political challenges whereby state governments and other organisations have conflicting interests. If you have 5 minutes to spare and can join me in supporting a worthwhile cause I'd be most grateful.

Dunstan

Ladder.JPG

Ladder 4.JPG
Originally uploaded by sense of movement

OK so there is a problem with some of the cables above Huaihai Lu, a busy 5 lane road in downtown Shanghai. So what do you do? Bring out a hydraulic hoist truck, right?

Well wrong actually. In Shanghai this type of job gets the prompt attention of 4 blokes with a standard issue ladder! Unbelievable but true and here are the photos to show how. One guy stood upstream and waved the traffic across into a lane and the others held the base of the ladder. Once they had extended the upper part they leaned it against the cable in question and after a brief discussion along the lines of:

LadderHolder 1: "Hey c'mon Bill, up you go!"
NervousGuy: "How come I have to climb again?"
LadderHolder 2: "Quit whinging and get on with it before the astonished-looking Laowei (whitey) takes too many photos."
NervousGuy: "Aw man, it sucks being the new guy."

NervousGuy then made his way up to the cable, in that unsteady manner well known to those of you who have climbed a bendy, wobbly ladders. At this point the traffic-directing guy gestured that I shouldn't take any (more) photos. Not one to argue, I put my camera away as asked.

On reflecion I guess that there is probably no shortage of people seeking work as ladder holders in China and I'm sure it pays well. To give this team their due, it did seem like a quick and efficient way of getting the job done.

... although the guy at the top looked more unsteady than convinced.

It was hard to see what they were actually trying to do. Hopefully not cutting the cable the ladder was leaning against!

Check out my flickr set for the full sequence...

Back in Sydney

I'm at home in North Narrabeen after an outstanding trip and it feels great to be home. I've been doing a lot of traveling with work during the last year but this trip was mainly about taking some 'time off' and catching up with my friend Beth and my Aunt Christine and her family spanning 3 generations! That said, I did have the fortune to visit the TI Studio in New Paltz and enjoyed some great lake swimming and racing with Terry Laughlin.


View Larger Map

I flew in and out of JFK (New York) with China Eastern and extended the transit in Shanghai to a week long stopover. Hence I spent the last week of July in China and the month of August in the United States.


View Larger Map

I'm still working on the google maps for each country so you can see the places I visited. I've also put some photos on my Flickr site and will post some more as I edit them.

Check back soon or use my RSS feed to stay on the pules!

Dunstan

The Adventure Begins

Leaving Home.JPG
Originally uploaded by sense of movement

I waved farewell to Sarah, Simonne and Baxter and headed off into the damp morning air of Wakehurst Parkway.

Are we 'Wi-Fri' ing our brains

This is a really intersting article about 'Electrosmog'... namely the soup of electomagnetic radiation that connects our wireless devices. The industry claims that that the connection with cancer and other ill health effects is unproven but the results of the studies seem to vary depending on who is funding the research!

I for one am going to be keeping my airport (wireless) switched off and my phone away from my heart and groin as much as possible!

Dunstan

The Naked Pumpkin Run!

Here is something to make you smile!

Enter the site, go to the videos page and download the 2002 video.
Beware there is nudity but don't worry, it is on a very small scale on account of the cold ;-)

Any takers?

Bad Taste ... ? What do you think?

Today I read a news article online at the Age newspaper's website.

Click through and read it before you go further...

How did that make you feel?
Did you read the whole article?
Were you distracted or distured by the ads?

My answer are: 'Sad', 'yes' and 'yes' so I wrote the following email to scoop@theage.com.au via the link at the bottom:


I have just been reading your article: 'How suicide is ripping Aboriginal lives apart' online at http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/how-suicide-is-ripping-aboriginal-lives-apart/2007/06/17/1182018938157.html?page=2

It was saddening to read and I felt a lot of compassion towards the people and communities involved.

I found the advertisement that was displayed on the same page entirely distasteful.
For me the shiny red and powerful sports car clashes horribly with the human nature of the article and I find it extremely crass.

I am grateful that I can read your news articles online and I appreciate that funding from advertisements probably makes this possible but I think you will agree that in this case there is a clear lack of relevance to the article and a lack of sensitivity. I can't begin to imagine how Patrick Dodson or one someone else from a community who had lost someone to suicide would feel if they viewed this page.

I hope that you can give this matter some though and look forward to your response.

Regards.

Dunstan Bertschinger


...so leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Living Sustainably

Today I decided to act. It is time for me to DO something!

I have done my best to be aware of the consequences of my life(style) choices for several years but I know now that this is not enough and I want to do more.

It is clear to me that we human beings need to develop a healthier relationship with each other and with the Earth if we are to survive. There is plenty of scope for feelings of powerlessness, despair and cynicism but I would like to think, feel and act in a positive way. I know that any change must start with the individual so I'm starting with myself! I want to become one of the people who is part of the "solution".

I believe that the way of the future will be really different to how it is now. Consumption of raw materials and generation of waste is going to be something that we reduce by being more aware of our deeds. Eventually we will be able to see beyond 'money' and see the real effect of our actions in the world.

It is an exciting time. We face a challenge and we have the opportunity to become more than we are.

Dunstan

I've started a new blog!

I often find myself searching for my favourite poems, verses and quotes online so I decided to start a new blog!
Everything that I post on there means something special to me. I think that they are best enjoyed one at a time, like you would look at works of art when you go to a gallery. So read slowly and allow it to affect you a little bit deeper if you can!

… and now for something different…

My report from Taupo Ironman 2007


As the East grew red with the first light of dawn I stripped off and joined the other 999 competitors in the clear still waters of lake Taupo. What was I doing here? I certainly wasn’t planning to set any records, win any prizes or challenge for a Kona spot. Could I honestly claim to be lining up at the start of an Ironman ‘for fun’? Was I deluded to think that I could last the distance with only a scattered handful of modest training sessions in my training diary? And how DID I come to be here in the first place… ?

Last Spring I spent two weeks cycling and hitch hiking from Christchurch up to Auckland via Motueka, Picton, Wellington, Havelock North, Napier and Taupo. Lush green hues, enchanting birdsongs and captivating mountainous backdrops made riding all day a genuine pleasure. Back home in Surry Hills I looked up the IMNZ website and called the race office eager to find an excuse to return: “Hi my name is Dunstan, I represent Total Immersion Swimming. Your Ironman looks like a great event and I’d like to give away some state-of-the-art swim coaching in return for some exposure.”. I met with and enthusiastic response from Jane and they somehow persuaded me to take part too!

… so there I was, waist deep in the lake at 0700 and ready for adventure! My ‘taper week’ had consisted of early mornings at/in the lake giving swimming tips, coaching sessions at the local pool and co-presenting seminars on “What makes good swimming?” and “How to achieve your perfect Ironman swim” with Terry Laughlin, Mr Total Immersion himself! I felt pretty confident that I would be able to complete the distance but I knew that it would take a bit longer than my other 3 Ironman races - Forster ’04 and ’05 and Kona ‘05. I had trained pretty well for those and managed two that were close to 9:30 and one that was well inside. My plan for today was to swim relaxed, survive the bike and walk/run the marathon as best I could.

I started at the back and took my time as the start gun sounded. My goggles leaked so I discarded them pretty quickly, feeling grateful for the clean, fresh water. I used focal points to work on different parts of my stroke and core rhythm for 20 strokes at a time. On the way out to the turn I cruised past a good number of swimmers, ‘feeling my way through the pack’ and did my best to avoid the thrashing legs I encountered! On the return I cruised with the pack, feeling great and saving energy.

Onto dry land and my lack of wetsuit raised a big cheer from the crowd. Speedos off, nicks on then out onto the road armed with dates, tamari almonds, a bag of fresh apricots and a couple of sandwiches. Feeling fresh, powerful and loving the crowd! 60km later it was a different story … speed dropped right off and I switched to survival mode. Back into town, the halfway point, a big wave of energy from the crowd carried me back out to the turnaround... and dumped me there. I chuckled to myself as I realised that I was empty. I truly had nothing! I lay down by the side of the road and really didn’t care if I looked ridiculous! A couple of minutes eased my discomfort slightly and I continued the struggle to get home. Reaching the final right turn was pure bliss; I had never imagined that a yellow arrow could make me feel so happy!

Through T2 and changed I walked out onto the run course. What a pleasure to be upright with a straight spine after 6+ hours hunched over my bike! I worked in some brief sections of super slow jogging, relaxing into my best form. I figured that I had about 20km of running in me and I didn’t want to ‘use it up’ too quickly! By 32 km I really was all used up. Fully spent! Walking in the marathon was a new experience for me but it really wasn’t that bad. I enjoyed some good chats and for the first time I took full advantage those wonderful aid stations. I mustered something resembling a run for the final kilometres and scored top for high 5’s in the home straight. My finish was happy but not especially glorious. My adventure had lasted close to 13 hours and the experience was quite unlike any of the others. Thank you IMNZ for a fantastic day. Yes I DID enjoy it, yes I AM deluded and yes I MIGHT even do it again sometime…

Couch Surfing, WWOOFING and SERVAS

I've just signed up as a 'couch surfer'! It looks like a good way of connecting with like minded people, with the added benefit that you might be able crash on someone's couch for a few nights. Click here to see my "Couch Surfing Profile"


When I was in NZ I used the SERVAS organisation. I stayed with some really great hosts and I'd like to be a host in the future.


As part of my travels next year I'd like to deepen my experience of organic / biodynamic farming / sustainable living / alternative communities and I'm hoping that WWOOF (willing workers on organic farms) will provide some opportunities for this.

One way or another, I shouldn't be short of somewhere to stay! All of these organisations seem like a great way to establish a meaningful connection to a place when away from home. I'm hoping that my new housemates will be up for getting involved too as I'd love to offer our sofa bed!

The Importance of Being Earnest

Click here the photos from our graduation performance!














Here is what I was thinking a week out...

I've never been involved in anything like this before, this final week is 'production week' and the best way I have of understanding it is to compare it to something I am more familiar with, the last week before a big triathlon / rowing event. There are 8 of us cast members plus our wonderful director Joanne Panagiotopolous and we are a tight team so it feels a little bit like our final week of rowing before Henley '97...

In both cases you are trying to build your energy and bring your performance to a peak at the right time. In both cases an outstanding performance involves reproducing the best from all the hours of practise you have put in but also creating a good mental space to allow something extra special to happen on the day. Great 'performances' seem to correlate quite strongly with 'letting go' and enjoying each moment as it unfolds... The biggest difference, as far as I can make out, is that I'd be spending most of the week ahead of a race with my feet up doing very little!

Oscar Wilde is a comic genius and you if we the team do our job well then the audience will certainly be laughing a great deal more than you ever did when you watched a race!

Looking for housemates again!

Olivier and Chrissie are moving out in the new year, they are going to get a place together. So I'm on the hunt for housemates again. It gets a bit easier each time. I'm a lot clearer about what I'm looking for now. We always get a lot of interest so it is good to be really clear about what kind of a person you are looking for. Click anywhere on the text to see the ad.

Here are some of the people I have lived with over the last 3 years: Nick, Bianca, Jane, Jamie, Melody, Elmo, Mattieu, Carole, Thomas, Martin, Adam, Cath, Chrissie, Josh, Mali, Olivier, Christina. Perhaps we ought to have a 303 reunion sometime and see what everyone is up to...

2006 draws to a close

My year is nearly over and it has been the best of my life so far. I have been a full time student at Parsifal College in Sydney for the year and that had a lot to do with it! In my spare time I have been running Total Immersion swim coaching for Australia. I've started a photo page too. My aim is to post only the best ones so that we can avoid digital overload! In any case I've put in permanent links for each of these so you can check them out.

Does anyone use RSS with 'live bookmarks'? It seems like a great way to see when websites have been updated without checking them every 5 minutes...

Bye for now,


Dunstan

February Birthdays

Well 3 of the 9 of us on my course happened to have birthdays within 4 days of each other so Zohar, Evan and Myself shared a cake!

... and then there were the parties...

Myself and Josh had a joint BBQ in Centennial Park and managed to find some fairly subtle (not!) fabrics for our togas. People made a great effort, Phil maintained his near-perfect record for party attendence and the bottle walking brought out a competitive streak in many!

The following week was Claire's 'Moulin Rouge' themed party at 'Slide'. Another great night where people made a real effort with outfits, although the sight of a 6ft drag queen was somewhat disturbing, especially to me!

Here are a couple of photos. Emma has provided her ususal excellent service of publishing them online and I have added her website as a permanent link on the right ... Dunstan & Josh's Toga BBQ and Claire's Birthday

on becoming an anthroposophist...

Well I'm now 4 weeks into my course. It is unlike anything I have ever done before and I am enjoying some of the creative tasks such as sculpting, painting and weaving. We have 3 sessions each day from Monday to Thursday. I leave home by 8 am for the hour ride up to Pennant Hills and am showered in time to start at 9:30.

I've also started a blog for us, the students at www.anthroposophists.blogspot.com. Full time students are: Celine, Connie, Dunstan, Ella, Evan, Kelly-Anne, Naho, Naoto, Rosa and Zohar. 5 of us are international students from as far afield as Japan, Israel and the UK so its a good mix.

Here are some photos!

Dunstan's UK Tour draws to a close...

Well my 6 weeks excellent weeks in the UK are drawing to a close. Lots good times with great people. Sorry if the blogging has been a bit sparse!

I've been doing my best to get around the UK and see as many people as possible and am doing a couple of weeks of supply teaching to finish off the trip.

I'm having a great final week in Northampton. Lots of challenge, especially in the classroom - teaching in a school that is in special measures - ie under threat of being closed down. This week is their follow up Offsted inspection. Yesterday one of the inspectors went onto the field when a fight was in progress and had a burger thrown at her! Most of the classes need a pretty high level of behaviour management so it is keeping me honest!

Thought for Thursday 19th Jan 2006:

"A lot of the kids at school seem to think that I (their supply teacher) am there for their entertainment and try their hardest to get a predictable reaction. Well they are most mistaken - I'm actually there in a spirit of lovingkindness and light humour to help them to learn and to grow as people. Often I feel as though certain individuals are the ones who are providing entertainment for me and the rest of the class!"

... love that shit!


When I get back to Sydney I'll be starting my course in Anthroposophy with a view to becoming a Waldorf teacher. I will miss many aspects of my job at NumberWorks and there will be many sad farewells but I am fully excited about the start of the next chapter of my antipodean adventure. It seems as though the Steiner approach treats a person as'an acorn to be nurtured in growth', rather than a 'vessel that needs to be filled' and this is something I believe in my heart.

I'll also be running Total Immersion swim workshops, setting up swim squad, getting more involved with Rob's Run teaching, helping friends with their triathlon training and perhaps doing some supply teaching and maths tuition.

Plenty to keep me busy there!