Our overnight stop was really good. It was red hot in the RV when I went to sleep. However, leaving the door open and all windows made for a comfortable nights sleep.
I set off running from the outskirts of Morristown, New Jersey just after 0630. As was the case yesterday it was a nice cool start to the day. By the time I ran through Morristown Green, a mile and a half later, the temperature started to increase.
I passed Lewis Morris Park at the 5 mile point. This was the start of day 100 back in 2011. It still boggles my mind that I ran from there to the finish line at Coney Island on that final day.
The first stop was at another baseball park, at Wysong Park & Ralston Playground just through Mendham. Whilst I was running, the support team paid another visit to Walmart in Morristown for more supplies. A 45 minute rest with food and drink had me on my way again.
This next stint took me through the beautiful Chester, and on towards Washington township. I spoke to the owner of Golden Retriever in Chester. Which reminds me. Here’s a picture of Órlaith that was taken yesterday back in the UK.
The heat and the difficult winding hills started to take their toll. I was a dead man walking at this point.
It was clear the original meeting point was a couple of miles too far, so a new meeting place was found at Valley View Chapel. Here we were welcomed by the amazing Jeff, who offered his facilities and good wishes.
I had my first tactical snooze of this tour in the RV at Valley View Chapel. It was only 30 minutes but much needed.
My feet got some much needed attention from Deb before I set off again. That task wasn’t in the brochure, so to speak. Some horrendous blisters had developed. I’ll save those photos for another time.
The break did me the world of good and I felt rejuvenated when I resumed running at the 18 mile point.
I then tackled the huge climb up the Schooleys mountain road, with Carlton for company. More hills and twists and turns followed, with the support team reverting to shorter meet-up points of 2-3 miles to supply water.
As well as wanting a 1930 finish today I wanted to repay the support team’s faith that they’d put in me having a snooze. I started to build the “pace” and felt really good. The climbs were relentless. So were the dogs too. Unlike 2011, I wasn’t in fear of them. Yet! I was concerned about one that appeared out of nowhere. She was an inquisitive thing. I had to signal to oncoming cars to slow down as she just sat in the middle of the road. I think she returned on the hill to her house leaving a trail of queuing cars behind.
The last 3 miles saw Deb running alongside me to the finish line just within the boundary of Washington NJ. We ran past a tank with 2 miles to go.
I felt really hungry once I’d finished running. I hadn’t eaten a lot of food during the day as I’d lost my appetite. That usually happens on these long campaigns.
Day 3 was the opposite of day 2. It was a tough start today but a really good finish to get 30.25 miles in. That means I’ll be passing through the 100 mile point tomorrow.
I must mention the respectful driving of the motorists here in New Jersey. It’s been a real bonus, especially when some roads had very little room for me.
Tomorrow’s route is 35 miles long. You can see that here.
Thanks to all the kind folk who made a donation today. £186 has been added to the USA 2025 charity fund for St. Benedict’s Hospice via https://www.justgiving.com/page/rungeordierun2025
The latest total is £14,812.85.
TUNE OF THE DAY is one that helped stir the emotions and get the pace going.
The rain has just started here and I can hear thunder in the distance. We could be in for quite a night.
