New shoes. I really like the mirage, maybe even better than the kinvaras. My son had a b-ball game. I wore my tights under my pants, so after they emerged victorious, I ran on home. It was after 10, so nice, dark and quiet. I had to make a pit stop at the rec center, however, and cutting across the grass was a dumb idea, since it was like running over a soaked sponge. I enjoy running in the middle of the street, and I encountered only 10 or so cars. A few observations; bbq beef isn't a great pre-run meal. Also, after logging many treadmill miles, my stabilizer muscles and kinetic visual awareness are not so great. I watch tv, and don't pay attention to the belt. But running over uneven, wet, icy pavement with curb cuts, sidewalks, and slopes is very different, especially in the dark. Having largely forsaken my prior habits of outdoor nighttime ramblings, I was reminded of a few pleasures of being outside late at night, including waving at cops and wildlife sightings. I was startled by 4 deer right by the post office. I guess they had mail to drop off. A good run. No garmin, no iPod. Just my breathing, slapping and a headwind. | 