Belated

It’s par for the course these days that I am late for someone’s birthday. It’s a character flaw I hoped never to acquire; I used to be impeccable on my timing and remembrances. Now, though, my life is like a top that spin evermore rapidly, so sweet moments like birthdays of friends and family members come and go and all I’ve done is thought, “Shit. I forgot again.” This includes the 4-year birthday of Pigtails Flying, which occurred on Friday, January 27.

My dear readers shouldn’t be surprised that I am late to celebrate my blog’s inception–after all, it’s been well over a year since my posts went from showing up four times a week to four times a month. Actually, four times a month means we all got lucky–usually it’s more like once a month.

When I first started blogging, I loved how it made me pay attention in a new way to my surroundings and experiences. I listened to my thoughts more when I ran, since I often used that reflection as a subtext for my post that evening. I wrote to find my voice and style; I wrote to amuse; I wrote to gain a readership. I also used my blog as a way to meet other runners in New York City.

My height of my blogging was during my training for the 2008 New York City Marathon. I did most of my runs after work, so I’d post about the workout right after I did it. I loved that routine, everything was immediate and the writing was the final step in processing my day, by examining the meaning and narrative of my life through my training. Sometimes I was explicit; usually I tried to write in code.

My blog kept me sane through disappointments due to injury, relationship rifts, and a long loneliness. Even when I wasn’t posting, I’d go back and read old entries to remember quick races, happy moments, and shitty parts of life that I managed to survive.

I like to write, I can do it well enough that it is generally enjoyable for me and for my readers. Even more than that I love writing about my running, and turning an activity that has a narrow focus into something that non-runners will appreciate. Since really, I’m trying to write about life.

Happy birthday, Pigtails Flying. Here’s wishing I get to spend more time in your excellent company in this, your fifth year.

• My first post ever. (Earlier posts were ported over from my MySpace blog about a year after I’d been writing on WordPress.)
• My most-read post. (Not what you think.)
• 1st Birthday post.
• 2nd Birthday post.
• I did not write a 3rd Birthday post; last January sucked balls.

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Pigtails Pauses to Catch Her Breath

Sunday’s long run was the final step in sucking out the poison of the past two weeks. As the miles clicked by, I worked through a lot of emotional stuff. Decisions were made; ugly truths accepted; new responsibilities assimilated; and old ones reaffirmed. 

Something’s gotta give. My life is what it is; there’s very little I can have exactly the way I’d like it, but I sense reward and surprise lurks in a few dark corners, and I need to shine a light there. 

This is the thing. The hours I dedicate to Pigtails Flying need to be reallocated for a while, so I’m going to take a hiatus from my blog. I’m not going away entirely (I may pop up from my foxhole with a post); and I plan on coming back to blog daily again after several weeks. 

I realize I flatter myself with this grandiose announcement about this hiatus. Maybe you’ll note my pause in passing, but really, it’s no big deal. I am sure I’ll miss the writing of it much more than you’ll miss the reading. As it should be. 

A few things, before I go. 

• Kara Goucher has posted a comment on my blog. I can now die happy.
• Someone actually paid me to write about running. Read what I wrote.
• If you’re looking for other thoughtful, well-written blogs about running, I direct you to Julie’s Races Like a Girl, Sarah’s Running Into the Sun, and Joe’s RunWestchester.
• If you’re looking for other funny, opinionated blogs not about running, I direct you to John’s A Special Way of Being Afraid and Kim’s Repliderium.
• And if you haven’t yet subscribed to Matt’s most excellent running podcast Dump Runners Club, shame on you. He’s the punniest thing on two fast legs, not to mention the best free coach you’ll ever hope for.
• Lastly, you can subscribe to Pigtails Flying via GoogleReader, Bloglines, or that RSS-feed thingy (up there above the header) if you’d like to be alerted when I happen to return from hiatus.

 A long overdue shout-out. Husband, I do not doubt your love. You are my staunchest supporter and my warmest comfort even though you rarely get public credit at this url. Thank you for all that you wish to be–and strive to do–for me. I’d be a flop without you.

 Arrivederci, amici!

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