Torch Run 2017

 One of my favorite summer traditions is the "Torch Run," or officially, the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the New Jersey Special Olympics.
   Held in early June, the Torch Run is a non-competitive relay held through various locations throughout New Jersey, ending at the College of New Jersey in Ewing for the start of the annual Special Olympics.
   This was the 34th year of the Torch Run, and I've been participating for close to 20. I got involved through a couple of friends who are Bernardsville Police Officers. They needed an extra runner one year when they were a little short-handed, and I've been happy to be a part of it ever since.
    My son, Max, did it as a a middle-schooler, and has participated a few times since, as have other members of Mountain Fitness through the years.
    We pick up the relay on the north end of the borough, taking the hand-off from the Bernards Township contingent. There's a quick group picture at the Shop Rite, and we're on our way down Route 202 to Far Hills.
   We're surrounded by a contingent of police vehicles and motorcycles from various departments, and traffic is stopped on 202 South. Probably because it's for the Special Olympics (and there's so much law enforcement around), the motorists are always encouraging as they pass by - no "Jersey salutes!"
    We've had all types of weather for the Torch Run, and this year was picture perfect - mid 80's, and low humidity. It's always picturesque looking out at the farmland on the side of the highway...it's easy to be in a positive state.
      I ran alone through most of Bernardsville, and kept going with a couple of Far Hills officers when we reached the borough border, by Far Hills Country day school . One of the guys ran with his service dog, and carried a large American flag, too - impressive!
       The Far Hills leg is about a mile-and-a half, and Bernardsville is a hilly 3 1/2-mile trek. My legs were fine, but I was going to stop when we reached the Bedminster line.
        I was running off bad a bad night's sleep, and I had two large coffees on the way up to the run. I didn't drink much water, either, and felt a bit dehydrated. I actually did pull off to stop when we reached the transfer point at the Bedminster First Aid building. But they had water bottles available, so I grabbed one, and continued on with two representatives from the Bedminster P.D.
       The Bedminster leg is about 3.5 miles, mostly downhill, along Route 202/206, past the Route 287 entrance, through Pluckemin, and ending at Bridgewater, the next town in line. We were running at a comfortable pace, I sipped from the water bottle a little, and, again, it was easy to be mentally lost "in a zone."
       We handed off to a large contingent from Bridgewater, who would then pass the mall all the way to the Hillsborough border. My day was about 8.5 miles, mostly downhill, at paces ranging from slightly above seven-minute miles to well over nine.
     It was a good sweat, but the day isn't about that, really. You feel you're a very small part in a big operation, supporting a great cause. That's what the Torch Run is all about.