gearing up

Less than two weeks to go until the half marathon. Damn. I saw a guy running at about 2am whilst driving home early Sunday morning. Now that's commitment, it was freezing too. Made me feel guilty. How is my preparation going?

Amount of training I've done: very very minimal.
The furthest I've ever run without stopping: 5km (though two "brief" pauses to readjust my knee strap).
Length of the half marathon: around about 21.097494km.

I am so screwed. So what if I can't run, at least I've given gearing up for the race some thought. Here are the latest.

Orthotic Insoles:
So I'm a really bad pronator. Like, really bad. I have the flattest feet in the world...

Me: I have the flattest feet in the world.
[Takes foot out of shoe]
Gym Receptionist: Holy crap you do!
Me: Told you so.

Bought these really stiff insoles for some more arch support (my shoes do provide some support, but it just isn't quite enough). Definitely helps with the leg and knee pain, but my feet really hurt after a few hundred metres of running. Apparently you're meant to gradually ease yourself into getting used to them over a month, especially these really stiff ones. Time I just didn't have. Walking is generally ok though, it's the running that isn't cool. Still trying to decide which insoles to wear in the race - what pain do I want to feel, knees or feet?

Skins Long Compression Tights:
These are great. Took them out for a run over the weekend, and definitely helps deal with muscle pain. Give me the support I need without needing my stupid knee brace. Also great to keep you warm in winter, especially early mornings.

The problem - I look like a complete tool wearing them. Of course, I don't feel comfortable wearing just the skins on their own, so I put a pair of running shorts over the top. Not to mention the fact that I'm generally regarded as being a short person, and for this reason the tights are too long for me so the ankles just bunch up. Either that or I bring them down over my foot which is uncomfortable (yes I opted to feel uncomfy to look like slightly less of an idiot). I just look ridiculous with it, especially when I'm walking rather than running. I found that people kept staring at me like I was some kind of weirdo. Well, more than usual anyway. Besides that, I love them, they feel great. Am looking for another pair to get, currently thinking a cheaper brand (Slazenger or something like that) and something shorter, maybe three quarter length if I can find some (I need knee support so the shorts wouldn't really help) - it would be handy to have another pair for recovery after a race, and to have a pair to wear that may possibly look slightly less tacky.

Other:
What else do I need to get? Well the shoes are good, as are my favourite running singlet and shorts (all Asics, probably just coincidence... or not, I don't really know). So I need to find myself some decent comfy socks (a toss up between a rather expensive pair or Thorlos that will last, or something a little cheaper like the CoolMax range in Target), as well as some Endura Energy Gel kinda sachets to bring with me to knock back when I hit "the wall" - I've been told this is around the 14-15km mark. I wonder if it's anything like the wall in Run Fatboy Run... Oh and I better find the arm strap pouch for my iPod or I'll have to carry the damn thing in my pocket. I know it's around here somewhere...

facebookless

Oh no, Facebook is down. What am I meant to do? Oh, I have an idea. How about I leave work and go home already? No wait, an even better idea. I'll go to the Broncos game tonight. Even better.

the nation's capital

Back from my weekend in Canberra. The Townsville story didn't reach an end because I ranted on too much and left it too long to recreate the experience in my head to properly retell the amazing encounters and adventures by the time I actually got around to it. So I'm going to try not to make the same mistake again. I'll try to keep it short and sweet this time around. Promise. Well, promise that I'll try anyway.

Three of us flew down to Canberra on Friday night. Flight was a bit delayed. Landed at about midnight. Eb picked us up. It was bloody freezing. Apartment was nice. Very close to the city. Went to sleep.

Woke up Saturday morning. Still cold. Did a run of all the touristy attractions. Breakfast in the Civic Centre. Walked to the Australian War Memorial. Looked around there. Walked to Parliament House from there. Took us about an hour. Very cold. It looked a lot closer on the map than it really was. Did lunch at Parliament House. It was like a cafeteria. Briefly visited Old Parliament House. Paul wanted to see the steps. He's a big fan of Gough. We were behind schedule and I wanted to get the most out of Questacon. Went to Questacon. I love Questacon. Last went there on a school trip in Year 7. Had heaps of fun there. Experienced zero gravity. Bought a Rubik's World. A cross between a globe and a Rubik's Cube. Sara got one too. We got a lot of the same souvenirs. I swear she was copying me. Went to the High Court. Had flashbacks of The Castle. Got a cab back to the apartment. Couldn't be stuffed walking back. It was already dark. And getting colder. Somehow. Went to dinner. Caught a Bus there. Had a Moreton Bay bug and crab lasagne. Picked it because it sounded really strange. Tasted a bit weird. Saw a real estate shopfront that looked like a furniture shop. Met up with Paul's friend. It was freezing. Had a warm milkshake. Yes, that's right. A warm milkshake. Sat outside. Near a heater. Still damn cold. Really cold. Freezing. Walked past a 24 hour Coles. Went to a club where we met up with Eb. A club in Canberra is like a pub in Brisbane. Apparently that club is a hot spot for miliatary folk. Not literally hot. Though the girls dressed like it was. Walked back to the apartment. It was absolutely freezing cold. Watched some crap TV. Went to bed.

Woke up on Sunday. Packed. Went to the National Museum. Cold. Tight schedule so we cabbed it. That place looks trippy. Had another dodgy cafeteria meal for breakfast. Stupid restaurant there was already closed after breakfast at 10:30am. Wasn't open for lunch yet. Looked around there. Picked up a few things here and there on Australian History. Had to leave in a hurry though. Caught a cab up to Black Mountain to check out Telstra Tower. Saw Canberra from up above. Not really that much to see to be honest. Bought a model of the tower to add to my mini city collection. Eb picked us up from there to take us to the game. I was clad in jersey, scarf and viking helmet. Not as cold. In the sun. The Raiders thrashed the Broncos. Sheer awesomeness. It alone was worth the trip down there. Met some of the squad (ie my heroes) afterwards. It was great, got photos with them. Went back to the airport for our flight out. Dinner at the airport. We had a bit of a wait there. Before we knew it it was late on Sunday night. We were back home. Still cold though.

Keeping it short? I tried. Really.

shortest post ever

Flying out to Canberra.

MIA

Ok so I've been missing from here lately. A combination of being busy, tired and sick. Still the first two and a little of the third, so I'll leave it at that for now. Hope to get back into it soonish. Apologies to my readers, if you exist...