How to use "starting" in a sentence

Before starting this trip, I forgot to leave a message telling anyone exactly where I was going

I try not to think of anything but the direction I am moving in, but I am starting to remember things now

They are all focused on the road, and in the distance I can hear the music and the commentator, and I know that the race is starting soon.

It's starting really soon - in a couple of weeks, I think."

But I've been starting to wonder whether the whole thing was just a joke, or a trick, even."

You know, I'm starting to think I might stay in for a while longer."

I heard the sound of cars starting in the drive

Soon the servants would be starting work