A gentle close to the week

With 7 things that made life slightly better / Issue 1,149

Oh, hi friends!

A few months ago, it hit me: I want to run a marathon. 

I thought it’d be good research for the marathon musical I’m writing with Kris. I also kept thinking about losing my friend Blakeney, who was training so diligently for her own marathon. How she would always find something to enjoy about every run, even ones that didn’t soar.

But it was too late to get into the New York City marathon. A different marathon on Long Island came with too many logistical questions. 

“Maybe next year,” I thought. 

Maybe next year...for something I wanted to do now.

How quickly we quiet down our dreams. 

But then I realized something else: I wanted the training and structure. The deadline and drive. The research and tribute.

I didn’t need a medal or perfectly calibrated course. Not this year, anyway.  

A park. Shoes. Me. What else is there?

So I told myself I’d run 26.2 miles the week before the NYC marathon. (I’m calling it the Karathon.)

And I started training. 

Guess what?

A marathon found me. 

Someone on the RunNYC Reddit said that he was holding his own non-timed, non-supported marathon in Central Park, on the original NYC marathon course, where runners took off from 1970 to 1975, before the marathon expanded to all the boroughs. The entry fee back then was $1.

Did anyone want to join? Four and a half loops in the park. Which is what I planned to do anyway.

Yes.

So on Saturday I’ll head off at 7am.

More than anything, this has reminded me of the limits we place on ourselves. 

How often we wait for conditions to be perfect before we even make an attempt. 

But why?

Why wait for next year?

Why wait one more year for something you want today?

Decide.

And watch the path appear before you. 

7 Things That Made Life Slightly Better This Week

• I’ve long admired an ancient dog who gets walked on my street. This week I finally told the owner their dog is my favorite on the block. The dog’s name is Domino, “like the pizza company.” He’s 13 and blind and perfect.

• Richard Maltby Jr. stopped by the BMI Workshop on Monday and dropped advice for musical theater writers that applies to almost everyone: “Just do it. Book the space.” and “You can only do what you can do.”

• So this is what the internet used to look like?! Fun to see these ‘90s and ‘00s internet artifacts. Oh, Napster and 2004 The Facebook! (h/t Janine McGuire)

• So many good chats with friends this week, including a podcast conversation with my dear friend Aransas Savas for The Uplifters Podcast, which I’ll also be sharing on Do It Today next month.

• Two minutes with Steve Jobs: “If you’re afraid of failing, you won’t get very far.”

• Meeting my friend (and Launch the Plane alum!) Elizabeth at St Kilda Coffee on West 44th Street reminded me that it’s the perfect little pre-theater hideaway away from the crowds.

• On Saturday, I got to see a screening of Hayseed, a clever and funny and suspenseful new detective film which my brother Eric co-produced and stars in. I’m so proud of him for bringing this movie to life — from shooting on location in Michigan during the pandemic to its debut on Apple TV and Prime on November 21. Long game, brother. You can watch the trailer here and I’ll drop a link to stream next month!

Lots of stuff.

Lots of good stuff.

Keep your eye on what matters most to you.

Don’t forget to enjoy something today.

Oh, and gently close that week!!!