Lawrence man runs his "last commute"
Scott McVey, an engineer who has worked for more than eight years as an engineer in Lenexa, discusses his motivation for accomplishing something special on his "last commute." Next week, he starts work as energy conservation manager at Kansas University. Enlarge video
Man runs marathon commute
Lawrence engineer Scott McVey is celebrating his last commute to Lenexa by running the entire 28.21-mile route. Enlarge video
Scott McVey is greeted after his marathon commute by co-workers and his wife, Molly.
Having already logged more than 58,000 miles behind the wheel while commuting to work, Lawrence resident Scott McVey actually couldn’t wait to make his all-too-familiar trip yet again.
This time on foot.
“It takes a lot more time, and it takes a lot more out of you, but it’s really nice being up real early like that,” said McVey, who left him home on Massachusetts Street at 4:35 a.m. Wednesday and never looked back. “I was running out on old K-10 before 5 a.m., and it was pitch dark. I saw shooting stars. It was really beautiful — real scenic. Much more scenic than the highway.”
McVey, a six-time marathoner, hit the finish line at his Lenexa office soon after 9 a.m., celebrating a 28.21-mile “last commute” that signifies the next big milestone in his career. Next week, McVey starts work in Lawrence, as energy conservation manager at Kansas University.
The way McVey figures it, lacing up his Asics Nimbus running shoes sure beat “driving mindlessly” in his old Isuzu Hombre pickup for the same monotonous trip he’d been making for more than eight years.
He certainly doesn’t envy the other 6,611 Lawrence-area residents — that’s according to data from the Mid-America Regional Council — who commute to work each day in metro Kansas City.
“Really, the main thing is I feel it’s completely unproductive,” McVey said, after enjoying a glazed doughnut at his office at TAC, an energy-efficiency consulting and construction firm. “I’ve got over an hour a day that doesn’t do anything, to benefit myself, my body or anything. I mean, I burn a lot of fossil fuels to get over here.
“Running, I was physically benefiting myself. It’s almost a spiritual experience, with all the scenery. And I got to enjoy nature.”
He also had a chance to share the morning with his wife, Molly, and friend Rob Gill. They’d both caught up with McVey in Eudora, and kept him company into Johnson County; another friend, Kurt Schueler, also tagged along for a while.
McVey finished the run with a brief swim in a retention pond outside his office in the Southlake Business Park, southwest of College Boulevard and Lackman Road, before grabbing a shower at a neighboring business.
“I’m feeling all right,” he said. “It went real well.”
McVey, 31, certainly has the drive to run long distances. He competed in track at Johnson County Community College, and has completed the Boston, New York, Chicago, Twin Cities, Las Vegas and Kansas City marathons.
Then again, he’s counting on his lengthy run-to-work commute being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It was a good experience, but not one you can do too much,” said McVey, who’s ready to return to morning workouts at Red Dog’s Dog Days. “It’ll be nice having a shorter commute, no doubt.”
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Bob_Keeshan (anonymous) says…
“Really, the main thing is I feel it’s completely unproductive,” McVey said, after enjoying a glazed doughnut at his office at TAC, an energy-efficiency consulting and construction firm. “I’ve got over an hour a day that doesn’t do anything, to benefit myself, my body or anything. I mean, I burn a lot of fossil fuels to get over here.
Well the K-10 Connector goes everyday to JCCC. The JoCo D line goes from JCCC to 116th and Quivira.
Even this morning, you could have just ridden the K-10 to JCCC and cut your run down considerably.
none2 (anonymous) says…
Bob_Keeshan (Anonymous) says…
"...Well the K-10 Connector goes everyday to JCCC. The JoCo D line goes from JCCC to 116th and Quivira.
Even this morning, you could have just ridden the K-10 to JCCC and cut your run down considerably."
===================================
Take a look at the Jo routes. Sure if you end destination is JCCC or KU's Edwards campus it is great. For a lot of other locations, the Jo routes leave a lot to be desired. You'd end up with multiple transfers and even more time spent trying to get to your destination.
To me the real answer is to encourage telecommuting. Lots of office jobs could be handled that way.
lwctown (anonymous) says…
Yea commuting to KC blows....We need more high paying jobs in Lawrence.....
gccs14r (anonymous) says…
Not just the transfers, but a lot of the routes are run only once in the morning and once in the evening, so if you miss your connection, you're on your own.
notwhatyouthink (anonymous) says…
I liked the part about the glazed doughnut.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
And again, if you don't like the commute, why live so far away? That is the one that gets me the most or what is even more precious is those who commute and then want what joco has over here in Lawrence. Modern life is really strange.
mdrndgtl (anonymous) says…
What were Molly and Rob Gill doing together in Eudora so early in the morning? Why is this news?
morganalefay (anonymous) says…
Good show, Scott! I don't know you personally, but you're a constant winner at local races, so I definitely know your name. What a cool idea to run that distance to work on your last day.
You rock!
RogueThrill (anonymous) says…
Yes, you should hire an energy conservationist who has logged 58.000 miles commuting from Lawrence to Olathe. This guy knows exactly what he is doing.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
I'm guessing that the killjoys on this thread are pushing 275 and that the most distance they have covered on foot lately is from the computer to the kitchen to refill their vats of Mt. Dew and grab another handful of pork rinds and Moon Pies.
Way to go, Scott, and good luck with your KU gig.
Seamus~ "neato"? Did you really say "neato"? I don't think I had heard that since about 1973. Yeah--I bet you remember that interurban like it was yesterday, by cracky. Guess what? It's probably not Mr. McVey's fault that it went away.
A lot of people love living in Lawrence but have to commute to make a decent living. How hard is it to be happy for someone who is able to say goodbye to the commute and who finds a creative and positive way to mark the transition to a new chapter in his life?
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Yes Pywacket, that is what we love about Lawrence, how many places can people fly the green flag and yet live in the opposite manner and yet still get patted on the back for it. Lawrence is all about image, not actually living what they claim.
tumbilweed (anonymous) says…
Good point, Rogue Thrill.
Why didn't this guy just move to Kansas City?
amyamcvey (Amy McVey) says…
Hi. I am Scott's sister and want to correct a few things.
1. During his years commuting he rode the bus. He didn't drive.
2. He would never consider moving to KC, he loves Lawrence too much - and is a huge part of this community. Instead, he looked for jobs in Lawrence. As you probably know, it is very hard to get a job at KU. I agree, we need more high-paying jobs in this town.
3. As for flying a green flag and not living what he claims, huh? The guy rides the bus every day to KC, has a home that is more energy efficient than any I've seen, is a vegetarian because of its limited impact on the environment, etc...
4. As a brother, person and runner - I agree - he rocks.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Well amy all we had to go by was the story in the paper which clearly says he drove. If he was hopping the bus that is a different story. We should be working for a balance of jobs that provide for the local economy instead of continuing to go on about "high paying jobs". We need to make things, grow things, and repair things here. The business environment for small businesses should get priority over tax breaks for big fly by night corporations.
hail2oldku (anonymous) says…
No need to get too defensive Amy. The naysayers on here never have anything positive to say regardless of the story.
Great idea Scott. What a way to say goodbye to that commute.
I am disappointed you didn't wear one of your Red Dog shirts though. That would have been one more thing for these yahoos to rip you for.
jrlii (anonymous) says…
Commuting to KC: At least there are things you might want to hang around to do after work, as opposed to heading west to Topeka, where there isn't much but turning around and going home after work.
As for the loss of the interurban, the Kansas City, Kaw Valley & Western interurban was well placed to stay in business as a freight dominated railroad (I have seen claims that passenger service was terminated as early as 1935.), 'till the 1951 flood washed out several of their trestles, 'though I understand some of the eastern parts of the line were still in operation into the 1960s.
And as for the automobile, it goes pretty much where you want when you want, as opposed to all forms of mass transit which only go where they go when they go.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Well said Seamus. Childish, I want, I want, mentality is growing old. Yes jrlii the interurban, which was funded by its own operational income couldn't complete when the government built the roads so all the car owner had to pay for was a portion of the true cost of car travel. And the interurban ran every hour for a large chunk of the day. How many trips to KC are made that really require being able to leave exactly the minute you want? How in the world do people manage at the airport? Why don't more people buy private planes if the need for instant travel is the most important thing in their world?
puddleglum (anonymous) says…
this guy is wild!
way to go, bro:
just make sure you wear lights on your chest and your back so that you are safe at night.
otherwise, None2 might accidently run into you
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
I am not buying the 6,611 commuters who drive from Lawrence to the KC metro area daily, especially when about 22-25% of households in Lawrence have someone who commutes out of the county on a daily basis as per the US Census. Surely the remainder aren't commuting to Shawnee or Franklin or Jefferson Counties.
This number must be higher, especially when considering the traffic on K-10 and I-70.
Aisling (anonymous) says…
I thought I read in the article that he drove a pickup 'Hombre' to work but someone said he took the bus?
blue73harley (anonymous) says…
Cool idea. I wish I could find a good job in Larryville and get rid of my commute. If I do (or when I retire), I would not be able to copy this stunt. Maybe a walking bar tour on the way home starting at Beer 30 and ending at Set 'Em Ups?
Irish (Leslie Swearingen) says…
Having already logged more than 58,000 miles behind the wheel while commuting to work, Lawrence resident Scott McVey actually couldn’t wait to make his all-too-familiar trip yet again.
The way McVey figures it, lacing up his Asics Nimbus running shoes sure beat “driving mindlessly” in his old Isuzu Hombre pickup for the same monotonous trip he’d been making for more than eight years.
----------------------------------------------------------------
That certainly sounds like he was driving to me.
You have to read these articles very, very carefully.
Explain this, please, Amy.
labbadabba (anonymous) says…
wow - I had no idea Scott could do that.
I went to High School with him in Olathe. Wow. Way to go Scott!
lori (anonymous) says…
Nice run, Scott!
JayhawkAlum03 (Julie Gasper) says…
I believe he used to drive prior to the K10 connector becoming available. He's been commuting for 8-9 years, so the bus wasn't always an option.
SofaKing (anonymous) says…
Way to go, Scott McVey. Great story. Congrats on the KU job.
jason2007 (anonymous) says…
Why in the world would anyone waste so many heartbeats when there's a perfectly fine car to drive them? Does he also forgo the lights in house and fire up candles? After all, electricity spews all sorts of "fossil fuels" (which is apparently abhorrent to him) into the air. Does he call over the docs to have a good ol' bloodletting session in lieu of Ampicillin?
Sorry, I just don't get the whole let's pretend is 1820 thing.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
So because it is inevitable that we will consume some resources, we should just go whole hog, eh? Nice.
salad (anonymous) says…
Awesome! Congrats finding a decent job in Lawrence, that's like winning the lottery.
Just point of fact: all the good jobs will continue to be found in KC. Lawrence will NEVER have good high paying jobs.
Gas will inevitably climb to $6-$10/ gal. and all those commuters will respond accordingly: move to KC, find a job in Lawrence, or pay out the wazzooooooooooooo......
jason2007 (anonymous) says…
@Jonas: Yep, that's exactly what I said. Got any more words to put in my mouth for me?
ckennedy (christy kennedy) says…
Outstanding! Impressive way to bid farewell to that long commute. Congrats on the new gig.
Pywacket (anonymous) says…
I suspect that everyone bitterly bit**ing about those who live in Lawrence and commute have tried and failed to land high-paying jobs in the KC area and thus have a nasty case of sour grapes. Keep sending out that resume, guys, and someone will hire you away from the DQ. At that point, I'm sure we'll never hear another peep out of you about the ethics of commuting.
Oh--and nice spin, Seamus. Your sarcasm ("Why complain about driving, when that is apparently what we cherish so much?") seemed directed at the subject of the story, as if he had been active in creating the automobile necessity that he later lamented. And, actually, I agree that mass transit (if intelligently routed and administered) would be much, much better than all of us jumping into individual tin cans and polluting the world. What I took issue with was that you (and others) just seemed to feel the need to rain on this guy's parade and make unfair assumptions about him. Just seemed mean spirited, I thought.
walleye9898 (anonymous) says…
Meateater v.s. Vegetarian
IF you eat plants then we loose O2 producers and CO2 removers.
If you eat meat, then we loose CO2/methane producers and O2 removers.
I will continue to do my part by in protecting the environment from Green Hous Gas emissions (CO2 & methane) by eating meat.
Eat meat --it is good for the environment!
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
jason2007: "Yep, that's exactly what I said. Got any more words to put in my mouth for me?"
Yes, just one.
Archipelago
pace (anonymous) says…
it develops into a culture, criticizing and carping at any hook. Good for him for having a good time with his run.
Violet (anonymous) says…
Boo on all the negative comments! What an awesome way to celebrate the end the commute and welcome the era of a new job in Lawrence. Heck, what an awesome way to spend any morning! Nothing beats and early morning long run. Way to go, Scott!!