It's hard to say exactly why I started. It might've been the ASML sponsored marathon. I enjoyed walking, I wanted to go faster. Moving is great for mental health, which I struggle with. In reality it's a combination of all these things and more that I don't know.
Shortly before I started, I got stopped by the cops. It was dark and I wanted to get home fast. I got stopped because I ran away from the town centre, away from the shops. I also got tired very quickly. I wanted to be active. You don't need a lot to start running. I started in long jeans, a shirt and my regular shoes. I quickly changed into my PE shoes. That made it more comfortable. I didn't want to get new gear. I often tend to buy gear, only for me to use to it a few times.
I followed the 5K program from Samsung Health. It's free and easy to find. I wanted a fitness tracker to measure heart-rate. A cheap one. I could use it beside running too. It wouldn't be too much of a waste if I stopped. I could get it if I followed the progam consistently for 2 weeks. I bought a Galaxy Fit 2 for €40. That's in part how Samsung can offer the program for free.
Running shoes make it easier to run. Their big cushion makes you get more energy back from every step. They also reduce the chance of injury. A great thing to have. I had to think of a new goal and I had 10 weeks left in the program. If I ran 5K, I couldn't get some good shoes. I started running with someone besides the Samsung Program. I reached my goal in 10 weeks.
Now I wanted to set my sights on something bigger. The marathon in Eindhoven sponsored by ASML. I didn't reach it. The goal felt impossible to reach. I didn't have the guidance of a Program anymore. I felt bad if I ran again after a 2 week break. "Look how long that break was, you can't do it" I thought. The Eindhoven marathon date approached quickly and I wasn't ready at all. I hadn't even run 10K, far from the 42K of a marathon. I didn't run it.
The Enschede half-marathon was 6 months in the future. It was on the same date as my little sisters birthday. I didn't want to miss my sisters birthday if it was important to her. I sent a message in the family group chat asking if I could run it. They encouraged me to do it. I started running more often again. I thought differently. Instead of focusing on the 2 week long break, I thought about the accomplishment. From "You took a 2 week break, you shouldn't do that", to "I accomplished infintely more than if I didn't run, because I did run today. Great job". When I went to my parents' house, I asked them to pick me up so I could run the 5K back. I was encouraged by everyone I knew. That was something I hadn't felt for nearly a decade. I finished the half-marathon in 1 hour and 58 minutes, 15 minutes faster than I had thought when I started running it.
The moment I finished the half-marathon my goal was completed. I stopped running. "I am staying active by cycling to work". Months later I wanted to run again, and I made myself a new goal. One short-term goal so I would stay motivated. One very long-term goal so I wouldn't stop. My new short-term goal is to run a 5K in 25 minutes, at 5 minutes per km, or 12km/h. My very long-term goal is to run an ultramarathon. Because this is very long-term, I don't have specifics. I am thinking of about 80K, or 50 miles. I also have a few intermediate goals for when I finish my short term goal. I tried to order them, but it might change if something's available earlier and I feel up to it.