WASHINGTON-Running and credit unions go hand-in-hand for three friends. Kraft Foods Federal Credit Union CEO Holly Herman lived in San Diego, which she characterized as a "very mobile town," before taking her place at the New York credit union.In California, she had many friends who ran and she became a social runner occasionally entering friendly 10Ks. But when she arrived in New York, Herman said she did not know anyone else who ran. A friend of hers, another runner, from Utah suggested they train together over the phone lines for a marathon and they ran the St. George, Utah Marathon together in the fall of 1996. That got Herman hooked. "Training for the marathon gave me the motivation to stay active and run.It's a wonderfully healthy, sort of crazy, hobby," she said. Herman became so motivated in her running she tries to run two or three marathons a year. She has run in the Boston, New York and Dublin (Ireland) Marathons. She has also run in the Washington, D.C. Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race the last two years since credit unions began sponsoring it. Her only rule is not to run a marathon more than once. Herman explained, "I figure I have only so many marathons in me, so I want a different experience." On Sept. 28, she plans to run her 14th marathon, the Fox City Marathon in Appleton, Wis., sponsored by Community 1st Credit Union. Herman's running has helped bring her closer to the credit union community in other ways as well: she will be running the Fox City Marathon with Pat McDonnell, wife of Navy Federal Credit Union CEO Brian McDonnell, and NCUA Employee Relations Specialist Kathleen Heagney. Herman has run several marathons with both women. McDonnell, a seasoned marathoner with 30 to her name, has a goal of running marathons in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. She's conquered 17 states so far, making Wisconsin her 18th on Sept. 28. Though both women run, McDonnell's story is a little different than Herman's. McDonnell, as a 34-year-old smoker in 1982 joked with some friends about going out running one night. When they all met at 6 a.m. the next morning to begin their trek, she "quickly discovered I couldn't walk a block." With three young boys at the time, McDonnell felt she had to get in shape and quit smoking, which she credits with saving her life. She admitted, "I never dreamed it would go this far." Now, McDonnell is running smack dab into 59 in November and feels she has more energy than most people her age. She tries to run three marathons a year, often cheered on by her husband. This year she ran in Georgia in February, Cape May, N.J. in March, and the Fox City Marathon will be her third. She added that her training often comes in handy when she and Mr. McDonnell are late for a connecting flight while traveling. Heagney actually has the most experience under her belt with 34 marathons to her credit and the 35th fast approaching in Appleton, Wis. She, too, has the goal of running marathons in all 50 states and the District. She has covered 26 states and Washington, D.C. so far. She has run as many as nine marathons in one year, and even ran one marathon just to hop in the car, ride for hours, and run in another one the next day. Heagney has also pushed her body to its limits by completing a 30-miler and a 50-miler. "Running marathons is about mind over matter and setting goals and accomplishing them and having fun. This wonderful skill has successfully transferred into many other areas of my life," Heagney said. [email protected]