Ryan, Matt, and Greg seconds before ringing in 2005. As you can see, shoes and socks are already off in preparation of running around the house bare-footed at midnight. It is a tradtion started many years ago by my grandpa, Jim Bever. This year it was the ground was saturated. Besides getting mud everywhere, the conditions made for decent barefoot running. Some years, the ground is frozen and there is no snow. That is the worst condition to run in. My favorite is when there is a lot of snow....cold, but soft and clean.