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...