Surely, the common sense approach is - do your research, i.e. find a brand you like in a size that suits, using high street retailers, then buy them online.
Been reading your thread Funky, really chuffed for you - you can keep building on the positivity your last run produced for you.
It really is an interesting one though, what drives runners on when evrything hurts, personally, i think the pain actually fuels my determination to succeed. that and not wanting to look like a right chump!