The new gear

So since about the first of March I've had some trouble off and on with shin splints.  Finally in mid-April I decided the problem was due to my shoes:  Cheap, "trail" shoes from a general shoe store.  So I bit the bullet and went to a real running store and got fitted for real running shoes.  And I bought a running hat.  My forehead was starting to get a little too much sun.  So here they are:

Here's the damages:  Hat $20.  Shoes $110.00,  Total with Tax: $139.10

Results?  I instantly fell in love with the hat.  The black hem around the bottom is actually a rain gutter.  All the sweat from my head runs down into it, then it drains at the back of the hat and runs down my back when I'm running.  Kind of an unsettling feeling at first.  But you know, my back is sweaty anyway.
As for the shoes- it felt amazing running in them on the sidewalk outside of the running store.  They are much littler and nimbler than my regular trail shoes.  I felt fast as soon as I started wearing them.
How about the shin splints?  This week I finally seem to have kicked them.  I've had a lot of good runs and only a little annoyance from the shins.