Spontaneity

The Line-Up

Normally everything I do is planned in advance... at least a week, month, maybe more.  Last weekend I threw planning out the window and took the most spontaneous trip I've ever taken!  Lucas and a couple of his buddies have been planning to go to Coachella pretty much since it ended last year.  A few hours before he was set to leave, we found out there was a ticket for me AND his friend was going to give it to me for free... I decided that if I was ever going to make a last minute decision, this was the time!!

For those of you that don't know, Coachella is a three-day music festival held in Coachella Valley, CA.  It started in 1999 and has been turning heads ever since.  Over the years, this festival has become so big

Sunset on the first day :)

that they had to make two weekends to accommodate all of the festival goers.  Along with the amazing performances at this festival, there was rarely a dull moment of people watching :)

I've been a long time fan of the Postal Service even though they have only ever put out one full length album. I absolutely love their song Nothing Better...so I think this takes the cake as my favorite performance--great stage chemistry, excellent live vocals, and this song is a valuable piece of nostalgia to me :).




Another highlight was Sigur Rós, who I've also been a fan of for a little over 7 years now!! They are an Icelandic band with some absolutely beautiful music. I have never seen them live before and seeing this made me want to go see them a million more times!


(ps both of those videos are stolen from youtube...I did not capture any excellent video footage of any of the performances!)

What I took away from the weekend (other than a deep desire to play music again) is that sometimes it pays to play it by ear: no plans, no expectations, just living :)  I never would have thought I would

One of many cool pieces of art showcased over the weekend;it slowly moved around the whole  venue!

enjoy something so unplanned. I tend to be a control freak in the worst kind of way... normally I need to have an idea of how everything is going to play out before I even think about doing something and with this I had about 30 minutes to decide to go, and a few hours until we were actually there and it was SO MUCH FUN! Plus, spending three days out of my normal training schedule, doing different workouts in a different environment, made me anxious and excited to get back to the normal training regimen :)  Thank you again to Angel for the ticket and Lucas for bringing me along :)

Day 2 Lucas, Angel and I on our way to catch the evening shows :)

On another, more tri-related note...earlier this month I raced in the Lifetime Fitness Marquee triathlon.  This race was on the heels of Collegiate Nationals at the same venue and almost the same exact course. I happen to live just outside of Tempe so this was a really fun weekend for me!  On Friday and Saturday I got to go and support my former team, the University of Arizona Tricats who are also coached my by coach, Brian Grasky!  Friday was a draft legal race and Saturday had a non-draft race in the morning and a draft legal relay in the afternoon. The Tricats did SO well as a team with the highest women's team ranking in Tricat history; I'm so proud to say that once upon a time I was a Tricat too!!

Sunday was a big day of racing all its own--not only was there a Sprint and Olympic distance for Marquee, but there was also the Leadman 125 that went off an hour before my race start.  Leadman had a pretty large pro field and seemed like a pretty tough course!

Feel silly with a watermarked pic but it's all I have! Crossing the finish :)

Marquee was a really neat race for me because although I am from Tempe, I have NEVER raced there!! It was so much fun to have my parents (and Lucas of course!) come and watch and to run into different families that I knew back in my swimming days!
The race itself was a toughie, the bike course was designed to have 3 extra miles and it doesn't seem like much on paper, but when the rubber meets the road it makes a pretty big difference!  My focus going into the race was to give the hardest effort I could on the swim and bike, perfect transitions and
hold on for as long as possible on the run.  I rarely ever go into a race with this mentality...usually I am conservative to start and save something for the run.  It was very interesting throwing caution to the wind and I learned that I can really go a lot harder than I ever thought possible!  I was first female out of the water and ended up 2nd overall to an Australian olympian, Maxine Seer!  Like always, tons to improve upon; each race is a little lesson in my pursuit to be the best I can be!!

                                             ^Lucas caught the last part of my run on film :)



Naturally while at Coachella I came across some new sounds that I enjoy so I thought I'd share my discoveries with you!!

All of Me by Tanlines
^fun, "dancey" sound, makes me want Summer time to come faster!!

What You Know by Two Door Cinema Club
^was really impressed with their performance and I actually really like their Pandora station!


Until Next Time :) @nicoletruxes

Twenty-one "Oh" Two- Happy New Year to you

Wow, it's already December 30.  Where did 2012 go?  I suppose time flies when you're having fun :)  When I think about 2012, I think of a few things... mainly boxes (or Trader Joe bags in most cases), travel, family and triathlon (of course =P). 

I've been trying to write this post for almost a week now, and I just haven't brought myself to sit down and do it because I feel that it simply won't do this year justice! How can you sum up an entire year of life experiences in one post? That's a lot of pressure!  So, with that disclaimer, I'll do my best in recapping an AWESOME year, and sending some well wishes to all of you for an even better next year :)

So first, the boxes (or like I mentioned, Trader Joe bags). 

This is my stuffed BruRu, you can't see the army of Trader Joe bags, but believe me, it was recycling at it's finest. Definitely essential for all of the moves this year.

Over the course of 2012 I have lived in four houses (five if you count Lucas's parents' house :) ).  Starting in Tucson

One of the most beautiful Tucson sunrises :)

 graduating, moving to Northern Cali--starting in Brentwood with the Piquero Family,

The Magical Studio of Fun--Brentwood, CA

Briones Trail in Walnut Creek--beautiful hills!

moving our way into beautiful Walnut Creek,

Lovely view, technically Scottsdale, but it's all the same ;)

and circle it all back up to home--good old Phoenix, AZ at my folks' place (and like I said, sometimes Lucas's parents').








I think the best adjective for that many moves is dynamic.  There was certainly never a dull moment this year, but I do hope 2013 brings at least one less move ;)




The rest of the major themes of my year: family, travel, triathlon--can all be reflected upon together, because, as I learned, they are all closely entwined.  

Lessons:

• You never know what you have until it's gone--family, friends, familiarity...all of these things are SO easy to take for granted, but the more you leave home, the more you realize just how warming home can actually be-- to all of my family and friends: I LOVE YOU, thank you for making my life full and beautiful!
•  Dream big and be your own friend.  Do a favor for yourself: listen to your internal speech, how do you talk to yourself?  Would you be your own friend?  The answer should be "yes!".  I'm not saying you have to be in love with yourself (in fact, don't, that's usually not very healthy or fun).  However, with out falling madly in love with your own reflection and shriveling up to die...be your own friend!  Make big dreams, chase them, tell yourself (realistically) that you can reach them and not only will you be happier, but those around you will pick up your vibe and be happier :)
• Hard work pays off-- in everything you do, working your butt off will always get you further.  One catch is that it also (at least in my case) makes you want more ;)  Don't let that stop you...don't be afraid to pull your sleeves up and throw some elbow grease in there ;) 

 I had a LOT of fun:

February: Grizzly Peaks- my FAVORITE spot in the Bay. This was my first view of it, not the clearest, but on a sunshine-y day you can see the entire bay<3 Sick video referencing "Grizzly Peaks, San Fran lights, ya heard?"

 

March: Lake Louisa, FL- the spot of my very first taste of ITU style racing.  The first of many to come in my young triathlon career :)

April: The last of my good, old-fashioned college fun ;)

May: A big BONK at Wildflower (long distance), lesson learned, still had fun :) (I suppose I also turned 22 in May...but considering I drunkenly cried about the fact I was one year closer to 30, I won't include any pictures, although most of it was very fun ;) )

June: To Florida for the second time...this trip: DISNEYWORLD. The Wellings were kind enough to include me on their family vacation, and this was the view from our Hotel Room :)

Disney continued: Still my favorite photo from the trip...Piper meets Princess Aurora<3

Chancey Pants joined us, like a "real man" on the Tower of Terror...he was 7 at the time. Aubree also joined, she's 5, baller....oh yes, and we were behind the Incredibles...through the entire line.

There are no words.

July: Collegiate Recruitment Camp...a truly LIFE CHANGING experience.  Amazing, thank you again!

August: Qualified for my Pro Card! My Aunts, Uncles, cousins, all there cheering me on...dream come true!

September: LA- my first beach swim: scary, salty, fun

October: Goose's birthday! Of course we're at Grizzly Peaks...one last time!

November: Back home to Phoenix, and immediately entered in the Women's Half Marathon :) 

December: My Parents, high school sweethearts...aren't they cute?

Christmas- I LOVE THESE KIDS <3

Christmas, cont: My brother and my puppy, Pima...a little pre-game nap ;)

My Love <3

So, I'll call 2012 a success! Bring it on 2013, I'm ready.




Final music recs of the year :)

Some fresh Valeas:
First, Gain Their Trust
^ballin electronic music, and a free download, can't beat it!

Play Hard by Krewella
^some cool kids from Chicago making some pretty awesome beats!! I feel like this is a good theme for 2013...Play HARD!!!

Catching Up :)

So I'm inconsistent, my posts are not weekly, or monthly or daily.. just whenever...it's cool, we all have things to work on, right?  Consistency is my project for the next...well, for the rest of my life I guess :)  Anyway, I feel like it would be wrong not to write about the things that have been going on in my life, helping me along to develop as an athlete and person. 

First, I am now a bona fide California resident :)  Lucas and I made the move up here about a month and a half ago...first to Brentwood, and then just last weekend we moved into our own little apartment in Walnut Creek :)  The northern California summer has been quite a treat in comparison to the oven I'm used to surviving in, in fact I'm writing this outside with a light jacket and I'm still cold! Not to mention living with my best friend, who also happens to be my boyfriend is an absolute blast :)

 Top: Marsh Creek Rd...a pretty back road I used to avoid traffic between Walnut Creek and Brentwood...don't have to worry about that anymore though because now it is a 5 minute bike ride to work!!
Bottom: First day in our new apartment!!

The next major event for the month of July was one of the most unique and career changing experiences of my life.  I was honored to be invited to attend a training camp at the Olympic Training Center with the USAT Collegiate Recruitment program for 10 days.  During this camp we were lucky enough to work with the best of the best in each field; bike clinics with Neal Henderson, everything-triathlon clinics with Barb Lindquist, running and mental training technique with Bobby McGee...the list goes on and on.  Not only did we have technique sessions with these specialists, but we also had a fantastic team of coaches with us for the ENTIRE weekend.  I was lucky enough to have my own coach, Brian Grasky, join me for the entire 10 days!!  As I'm recapping this experience I feel like I can't quite do it justice.  Me and my fellow 11 athletes were treated to ten days of some of the best learning out there.  Not only that, but we all got to meet each other and make a bond that we will share as we move forward in all of our individual racing careers.  Although triathlon is an individual sport, there is a definite difference when you can feel a sense of community.  Knowing there are other people as passionate, and--let's face it--CRAZY as you are is an indescribable feeling.  Thank you so much again to EVERYONE involved in that weekend...the OTC staff members, clinic specialists, coaches, athletes and of course the coordinators--Jocelyn Buras, Joe Umphenour, and Barb Lindquist...none of it would have been the same without any of you, I am so inspired!

 Top: Garden of the Gods group ride--working pack riding skills in a beautiful setting!
Bottom: the amazing Athlete center...equipped with cafeteria full of amaaazing food!

Coming back from that camp I immediately got to apply my new knowledge to a local race the next weekend!  Last Sunday I raced the California International Triathlon, a race put on my USA Productions in Pleasanton, CA.  I've said this before, but I will say it again...they put on a fantastic race!! 
My race morning started scoping my transition spot, setting up, pretty normal, but I realized that my watch was dead so I was going to have to race off feel!  It ended up working out well that my watch was dead...for the first time ever I was the first female out of the water, and this pumped me up for the bike.  Working the transition skills I learned from the camp, I hopped on my bike...flying mount :) and was off!  The course had lots of turns and some construction so I was glad to have learned some handling skills, definitely helped me race safer and faster!  The course also had a few hills which are great, but unfortunately my chain dropped on the big one...at least it is an easy fix!  As always, I was excited to get off my bike and into T2...this run was full of hills...just how I like it! For whatever reason, I really enjoy hilly runs...I think maybe I like the change of effort/scenery rather than running a super flat course...or maybe it's just the crazy in me ;) My run ended up being a PR 10k time...yes, I run faster off a bike and swim than I do on a flat run...I guess I was meant to be a triathlete! 
Overall, I ended up placing 1st in the amateur division and had the 12th fastest time of the day (including the men).  I'm excited to continue using my newly acquired knowledge, and working to improve as a triathlete.  Each time I race I'm reminded of how dynamic this sport is and how much fun it is to race three different disciplines in one shot :)

^ after the race they had a contest to see who could hold a side plank the longest...the prize? A $700 Xterra Wetsuit! I was so close, but I get a couple of style points, right? ;)

Last, but certainly not least...I'm going to start a little section of music recommendation that kind of fits the theme of the post, or is just cool music :) Enjoy!!
 
What Goe5 Around by Valeas
^awesome riding music!

Tighten Up by the Black Keys
^cute music video, good for some of those trainer workouts :)