How I became a runner?

I started running exactly a year ago, when my company sent an email for all the employees if anyone is interested in running a 10 km. I signed up for it and used it as a motivation to stay in shape .
I always loved working out, I used to run cross country when I was 14, i love to play tennis and skied all my life. I even skied at a college level in the states. A lot of times i hit the gym to do some elliptical and weight training. I moved to the Netherlands after I got married last year to live with my hubby. OF course no snow here and I didn't have friends yet to find a partner to play tennis and my hubby at that time was traveling a lot.

So I didn't officially train for this 10 km it was more like for fun.
The 10 km race was over and I felt so good about my body about how much I pushed myself, pushing yourself to the edge was the most amazing feeling.
I had no interest in my time yet since i think i ended up 1000 out of 6000....Next day my company sends an email announcing the best runner out of all the employees who participated. To my big surprise it was me with the time of 47 min
I got so excited to get all the attention and decided that i will always run no matter what. I discovered my new relationship with running and decided to sign up for more races. So since september 2008 i signed up for three 10 km races and 1 race of 10 miles (16.1 km)

Since that day I started running and somehow I start hating the gym. I just started to love being outside and running, me, myself, my Music and I.
After 2 months of running almost daily, I run my second 10 km. I gave it all and I finished with a time of 43:40. I was so excited and i refused to do anything less than 43 min in my next race. Sure enough My time dropped to 42 min 28 sec.

The Last race of 10 km was my favorite.The weather was cold but not too cold, It was Adidas ladies run about couple hundred of ladies not more and i really wanted to drop my time.
So The race started and i was the 3rd girl!!!! So i kept pushing it and pushing it ....The downside of this race it was 2 loops of 5 km .......I absolutely hate loops. As soon as i hit the 5 km I looked on the board I saw my time of 19 min, I knew if I keep running with this pace I will be able to run 41 min or maybe 40 min

As soon as I started the second loop something strange happened and never knew about it. I didn't know in 10 km this could happen!!!I am very embarased to say it but I am not sure out of nowhere my urine fell down...GROSS.I was so scared I didn't know what was happening.

I was so insecure... i was wearing a light blue shorts and I kept thinking that people could see a big spot on my ass...OH BOY...Worst feeling ever i was looking torward the finish line just to disappear and cry.... 2 girls passed me and just before the Finish line I end up passing the girl in front of me....
My time was 41:15 and that was on june 2009. I am so proud of myself to reach my goal. Now I have a feeling my next 10 km it would be as easy to drop my time as I did previously. It is going to be a challenge. I might run 16.1 km and 1/2 marathon before i think of another 10 km.

That is me in white and blue few meters before the finish line

One of the races I did to support Kids with cancer. It was 16.1 km (10 miles) race and i scored a time of 1h 05 and finished second. It was amazing because i won a nice prize from Nike.

The Zoom running shoes + outfit + bag. Great no?

This is me on the podium :)

I feel that in 1 year I accomplished a lot. Recently I signed up for a 10 mile and a 1/2 marathon. I love running and I will keep being competitve.
My goal for the 10 mile is below 1h05 and I didnt set a time for the 1/2 marathon since i never run these distances yet. Maybe 1h 30 min????