ARLINGTON, Va. -- Pushing her body to the limits providesNAFCU's new Public Relations Manager Patty Briotta a sense ofsatisfaction in reaching the finish line, but also raising moneyfor causes.

Briotta is the Washington, D.C. coordinator for "Las Comadres,"a Latina female networking group, and through this she hasaddressed Latinas Leading Tomorrow, a group that helps keepHispanic middle school and high school girls in school. When shetalked to them, she talked about her marathon running and theimportance of having a passion and achieving goals.

A latecomer to the sport, 45-year-old Briotta explained, "Istarted marathoning in 2004. It actually started because I wasspinning." She met someone from her spinning class that introducedher to marathons and she's been running ever since. She has run theMarine Corps Marathon twice, the New York City Marathon, a coupleof half marathons, the Cherry Blossom Race and other 10-milers.

"There's actually a great sense of satisfaction and I run for acharity most of the time. I think running for a charity alwaysgives you a greater sense of satisfaction." She has run for theLeukemia & Lymphoma Society and is now a captain, who helpstrain the other runners.

"Actually, as a captain you enjoy it even more," according toBriotta, because you are also helping others achieve theirgoal.

Race day is exhilarating. "I think it's amazing how much peoplesupport you, not only in training but especially on race day," shesaid. Briotta's whole family comes out on race day to cheer heron.

Briotta trains mostly by running and spinning; the New YorkTimes actually interviewed her for an article on the combinationlast month. She loves her spinning classes, which typically lastabout an hour. "They will push you harder than you push yourself,"she said. Briotta also enjoys having an instructor and differenttypes of music as well as the group mindset.

All that training, Briotta said, gives her "an extra sense ofdiscipline" that she said "extends into other areas of your life,so it's also an ego booster too."

Even leading up to a big race though, she emphasizes that she iscareful not to "over-train" and gives herself one day a week off.Briotta was quick to add that she just tries to better her timewith each run. "I run for fun. I really do. I enjoy it."

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