“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.” — Steve Jobs

It has been quite some time since the ASML Marathon 2022 was finished. In this post, I am now trying to connect the moments of my preparation for the same event before it fades from my brain. During this time last year, it was not even on my mind that I would take part in the half-marathon category. But things fell into place unlike 2021, and I was a bit prepared. Last year’s experience will help in preparation for this year’s upcoming events.

During Winter season, i.e. from mid-October till February, It is dark outside with average temperature less or equal to 5 degree C. The weather is unpredictable with the wind and clouds. Slowly, I started running during February and March 2022, mostly once or twice every 15 days. It was still very cold, and I had not yet adjusted to this weather. It was getting more difficult when you didn’t have any companions. But I tried my best to be more regular in the upcoming months and completed my first 10 KM run in mid-April. It was a bright, cold day. Beautiful Spring blossom came out of the tree. It was not easy but had great feeling of completing it. I followed my usual route(Route-1) i.e. starting from Vaartbroek, Mercurislaan, Sterrenlaan till Coppelmans, Nunen and return.

The same routine continued for some time, like 5 KM and 10 KM stretch run. I tried to get time out of office hours and family responsibilities. And somehow I found balance. With the starting of summer, days were longer in comparison to winter days. Sunset usually gets shifted to late evening hours. So less excuse to give up. 😉

With time, I got used to the same route and wanted to try a new route. I was curious to explore a new route. One day, instead of going towards Mercurislaan, I took the route towards Heesterakker. Unlike the previous one, one stretch of this route is more inside a residential area, and another stretch is full of greenery with a lot of trees and small lakes. I used to cross an open Hockey field too. The new route (i.e. Route-2) was starting from Vaartbroek, Heesterakker, and Sterrenlaan. This made one complete circle of 5 KM. But to complete 10 KM, I extended this route to include Amazonenlaan, Orpheuslaan and Muzenlaan.

I was more regular from May until mid-August. I was trying to complete 100 KM per month challenge in Strava. That was my target and motivation. There was no strict timing focus, but I could feel the improvement with respect to breathing and stamina by being regular. I was in touch with Devender with whom I started my running and discussed practice. Someday I felt like not going for a run, then I went out with shoes to complete just 1 KM but covered more than one KM.

First step for running is tying shoe laces and just go out.

With more frequent running, I started to feel the need for new shoes. As my current shoe was loosing grip and not comfortable as before. I contacted Amar for suggestion, who is a motivator to me and many other runners. I got a new pair and started practicing in them. Initially, I thought I took the wrong pair of shoes, as they felt soft and a bit big for my feet. But I continued with the same pair for some days of practice. Then, I got used to it and felt better, unlike starting days.

We need to give some time to new members to get adjusted to it.

With this, I wanted to do something more than usual and registered for a Half-Marathon in the ASML Marathon 2022 event. In the beginning of the year, it was never the goal, but then I was confident that I could be a Half-Marathon finisher. I covered close to 15 KM before vacation and for 3rd time in 2022.

Man proposes, but God disposes. I had planned to continue my running during vacation, but it never happened. The trip was hectic, and I hardly got any time to relax and practice. We came back on 16th September, just 3 weeks to Race.

Don’t Break the Chain of Good Habits.

Three Weeks to Go…

On 17th September, Second day in Eindhoven after vacation. It was dark and cold out there, unlike summer days. But I made up my mind to start practice as few days left for the event. I dressed up with a full-sleeve running pant and T-shirt. I felt discomfort but covered a small distance of around 3-4 KM. It was not easy to restart after a 30-day break and go back to the same speed. Next-day, I took rest.

The Only way to start is to Start.

On 19th September, I tried again to keep the process on with a small stretch. I covered only a 4 KM long stretch and felt pain in my knee while completing it. It was almost dark outside and windy.

On 20th September, I went to the office for the first time after my vacation and fortunately met Ronnie V, the ultra-marathoner, at an ASML sports event. I follow him on Strava app. His running distance over time is amazing. With this motivation, I went for running after returning from Office campus and covered 5.8KM on the Route-1.

On 21st September, I completed one round of my route-2, i.e., starting from Vaartbroek, Heesterakker, Sterrenlaan and Mercurislaan, total of 7KM. I ran more than 5KM for the first time after vacation. I took two breaks. Likewise, I crossed other group of runners during this route, and it was inspiring that I was not alone.

On 22nd September, I did cycling instead of running, on the way and back to office.

On 23rd September, I went for a run after office hours, although the weather was not ideal. But I didn’t want to interrupt the process and completed a small lap of just 3.5KM, not a single 10KM run in the last 30 days.

Two More Weeks to Go..

On 24th September, it was raining & weather was not good. So didn’t able to make it for run. I felt that I could have run more distance on the previous day. But I did some 10KM cycling to compensate.

On 25th September, the Day was cold but a little bright, with just double-digit temp. I completed my first 10KM after a one-month gap. I felt the same knee pain, while completing the last 2KM, which started last week.

On 26th September, it was cheat day as raining all the time. Still, people were running in the rain while I was on my way to do a small walk nearby.

On 27th September, it was a rainy day again, but I did alternative activity to running, ~10 KM cycling to and fro to Office.

On 28th September, With clear sky, I went for running in the evening. But I felt pain in my knee because of the injury and stopped to recover.

On 29th September, It was a cold morning but a bright day in the second half. I cycled about 10KM to and from the office.

On 30th September, it was a bit of a bright day. I spoke to Amar about my injury. And I felt that it was not serious and should go for a short run. So I went to run after call, thinking of completing only one KM. But I completed more than 5 KM. It was a bit encouraging to start again.

On 1st October, rest day as it was raining.

On 2nd October, I was occupied with house-hold work and met my friend who just landed here. I met Sourav (who finished ASML 2022 Half-Marathon)for the first time, and surprisingly, he was also participating in the event. So I just completed one KM and took rest.

On 3rd October, it was the 8th day of Navaratri. We call it as Astami in my house for the Durga puja celebration, which I have never missed before. But I was on a light diet, mainly fruits, and wanted to make up for my previous day’s quota. I started a bit late around 19.20 but covered 8KM in 50 minutes, as day signify. It was dark, but I had chosen the route, which has streetlights throughout the stretch. It was also a new straight route.

On 4th October, it was office day and cycled to office in to and fro.

On 5th October, We celebrated Vijaya Dasami, end of Durga Puja/Navaratri Celebration. I wanted to do a 10KM run, but it was very wind. So I didn’t take any chance and instead did some cardio exercise at home.

On 6th October, 3 days to run day. I went to the office by cycle. I did cycle around 10KM. But had enough motivation as received the T-shirt and start number for event. So I went for run around 19.00 in the evening and completed 10KM in that long straight route from Vaartbroek, Tempellan, Munzelaan and back. I felt good on completion of 2nd 10KM run after vacation and before main event. This marked as my Vijaya Dashami run. I could have done some more, but because of an injury in my left knee, I felt it was ok to not hurt myself before the main event.

On 7th & 8th October, rest day before run day. Although I did some cycling to be active. I took things lightly and invited friends to our house to avoid any performance pressure.

On 9th October, I woke up on usual time. I was excited and a bit nervous as a first half-marathon event. Started following Amar (who finished ASML 2022 Full-Marathon) and other runners who participated in the full marathon. I went out to cheer up Amar when he crossed a point close to my house as live tracking notified. Great to see so many runners from different company, country and mainly age group. Now it was my turn. I dressed up and went to Arvind’s house (who finished ASML 2022 Half-Marathon) to park my cycle. I met my friend, Mayur, close to track and other runners. Never expected so many participants in half-marathon.

Started good and finished 5KM with PR. I started feeling the heat as I wore a winter full sleeve T-shirt to avoid the cold. But it was the wrong decision. Eventually completed 10KM in 55 minutes. Then 15KM and slowly 21KM. At some point in between 17–21KM, I felt pressure and was running at the slowest speed. But the crowd toward the finish line was great, which pushed me to the finish line to become a Half-Marathon finisher. I was surprised and felt lucky to be featured in the ASML Marathon Eindhoven 2022 video. Thanks to all runners, mentors with whom I crossed path during this journey.

If you want to know about your running shoes, then check below:

Sports: Know Your Running Shoes