Atherton man discovers benefits of running, and wants others to join in the fun Atherton man discovers benefits of running, and wants others to join in the fun (May 08, 2002)

By Norman Martello

Special to the Almanac

So much of it has to do with the Smoot.

Just ask Scott Feamster, 58, an Atherton resident whose desire to support his son's college led to a major transformation in his life.

Mr. Feamster explains that, as head of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Parents Association, he suggested a couple of years ago that a parent run the Boston Marathon to honor MIT's 2001 graduating class. As "an old, overweight, out-of-shape couch potato," he didn't consider himself a candidate, expecting a trained long-distance running parent to volunteer.

No one did. But the suggestion ultimately became the spark that led to a spirited Peninsula-based club, known as the MIT Community Running Club (MITcrc), whose members range from the recreational fitness enthusiast to the long-distance marathon runner.

Billing itself as "Silicon Valley's friendliest and most active walking/running club," MITcrc welcomes new members, and lists as its objective: "To have fun improving health and fitness through walking and running with other interesting people."

And all because Mr. Feamster wasn't willing to let his Boston marathon idea die on the vine.

After it became apparent that he had no volunteers to run in the world-famous event, Mr. Feamster explains, he started training. It was January 2001, he had a pulled right groin, and the marathon was set for April 16. But with help from a running coach, he met his goal.

"I bore the names of graduating students and earned them 26.2 Smoots of the marathon distance," he states proudly.
The 'Smoot' measure

"The Smoot, of course, is a unique measure of the Harvard Bridge, which MIT students call the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge," Mr. Feamster spins slyly. Its etymology? As a prank, an MIT student conveyed one of his fellows across the bridge by repeatedly laying him end to end, so the bridge became denoted by the number of lengths of this student, Mr. Smoot, the story goes.

"Since then," he notes, "the road authority has actually painted each Smoot across the bridge to maintain the tradition." And for club members, he says, 26.2 Smoots is short for the marathon distance of 26.2 miles as established at the 1908 Olympic Games in London.
Fit and having fun

Mr. Feamster uses the words "fun" and "recreational" often when he talks about the club. "If people are having fun, they don't mind the exertion," he says, and having other people to run and walk with makes the activity that much more fun.

"When I saw how I was able to get into better shape and enjoy life more, that was all the incentive I needed to help other people to get out and do things they'd never done before," he says.

"Once people get into the habit of regular exercise, they don't want to miss it. It becomes something you really look forward to. And running generates endorphins, the runner's high, so it not only improves your overall level of fitness, but it improves how you feel about yourself."

The club offers weekly walks and runs at scenic locales for people of all ages and fitness levels. "We encourage people to do things they haven't done before. We also have quite experienced people, who help others do better and improve their fitness," he says.

"At the Silicon Valley Marathon, we had 130 participants, walkers and runners, more than any other running club," Mr. Feamster says. The group also provided volunteers at aid stations and participated in special kids' events _ plenty of incentive for everyone to get out to enjoy sun and fun. "We placed fourth of all the clubs in the Silicon Valley Marathon," he notes proudly.

Just this year, the club added the Paris, London, Rock 'n' Roll, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Kona, and Napa Valley to their list of marathons for members to choose from.
Membership benefits

The MITcrc is as informal or formal as its members desire. It is informal because it is an open club, where walkers, joggers and runners of all levels are not required to join just to participate.

Also, its focus is recreational, unlike some clubs that are interested in competition performance, Mr. Feamster explains.

It is formal because membership brings the benefit of discounts on equipment, massages and athletic club memberships.

"And members receive the official Central California Boston Marathon shirt, which features the only politically correct MIT seal in existence," he notes. "Instead of two old guys in medieval garb, it has a male and a female runner."

The emphasis on having fun through MITcrc activities doesn't diminish the more serious aspects of the health benefits of walking and running. "In running I like to emphasize total body fitness, not just legs," Mr. Feamster says. "So much of running happens with the core abdominal muscles."

He says he also likes to use yoga and Pilates exercises to improve flexibility.

The club has scheduled a running clinic for Saturday, May 18, at Arastradero County Preserve. People of all ages and fitness levels are invited to attend. The club even welcomes Harvard graduates.

For more information about the running clinic or about MITcrc, e-mail sf@matrixpfw.com; call 321-4256; or check the club's Web site: www.mitcrc.org.