I ran my first 5K on September 24, 2011. Four months later, I've more than doubled that distance.

My left heel, thanks to plantar fasciitis, is throbbing. My left knee aches. My calves are sore. I’m exhausted. I’m as satisfied as I’ve ever been after a workout.

Today marked another breakthrough. Less than two years after I couldn’t run a quarter mile, I clocked my first 10k this evening. That’s right, six miles. Not bad for a guy who weighed more than 300 pounds at this time two years ago.

I wondered once I finished a 5K how motivated I’d be to keep running. It’s not exactly fun. How often do you see someone smiling while they’re running? I’m convinced that’s physically impossible.

But I also knew that not running meant likely gaining back some of the 90-plus pounds I’ve lost. In other words, quitting wasn’t an option.

Since the 5K, my routine has consisted of lifting weights, situps, a little Tae-Bo and a lot of time on the treadmill, which is a completely different experience than running outside.

I run faster on the treadmill, which means more calories burnt and more sweat. But rarely do I run more than 3.5 miles, partly because it’s an exhausting workout (about 40 minutes of running), on the machine. So I really had no idea how far I could run outside.

Thank God for the weather. I’ve hit the pavement several times during the past few weeks, running about four miles. Not until today, driven by an unhealthy lunch of a Reuben sandwich and two macadamia cookies, did I really test myself.

The original plan was to run five miles, which meant running from our apartment to Quivira Road and back. Once I got to Quivira I figured what the hell, I feel great, why not keep running? I ended up at Pflumm Road, more than three miles away.

The trek to Pflumm is pleasant enough. There isn’t a ton of traffic, the sidewalks are clear and high-dollar fencing equals less wind resistance. The path to Pflumm also has a shitload of hills, and all of them are long, steady climbs.

I hate those hills. I also love those hills. With each step toward the top, I thought about the last several months of exercise. How I couldn’t run to my dad’s pond a few hundred yards from his house in May 2010. How it took several months to reach a mile without walking.

I thought about running in 100-degree temperatures virtually every day of August 2011. I thought about finishing a 5K about a year after the lifestyle change started. I thought about all the support I’m so grateful for from family, friends, Facebook, Twitter and this blog. I thought about writing this blog.

After the 5K with my biggest fan.

Once I hit five miles, my body seemed to finally give up … on telling me to give up. Maybe it was a third wind. That changed about a mile later, once I hit the steepest of hills on this run, the last half mile. The body was clearly pissed.

But I kept going. And I didn’t stop until I got home. More than hour of running. A total of 6.5 miles. More than 1,000 calories burnt. All of that 20 months after I couldn’t jog the length of a football field.

I’ve said it several times: If I can do this, anybody can. Today’s proof. From couch potato to runner. Anything is possible.

Flip Pressey (1) and Ricardo Ratliff (10) led Missouri to a win at No. 3 Baylor. Ratliff dominated the taller Bears with 27 points and eight rebounds.

Facebook and Twitter were great entertainment Saturday. Really enjoyed Kansas fans comparing their win over Baylor to Missouri’s win over the Bears. Let’s get this straight … you are supposed to win at home. Winning on the road is what determines conference titles. A win at Baylor IS huge. It trumps a win at home. There is no argument.

1. MISSOURI (18-1, 5-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas A&M, Baylor | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Oklahoma State, Saturday vs. Texas Tech

THE RUB: Why is Missouri ranked No. 1? Because it has the top two road wins in the conference: at Iowa State and at Baylor.

2. KANSAS (16-3, 6-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Baylor, Texas | THIS WEEK: Monday vs. Texas A&M, Saturday at Iowa State

THE RUB: Win a legit road game and reclaim the top spot. Plenty of Kansas fans will blast me for this. My response? Write your own rankings.

3. BAYLOR (17-2, 4-2) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Kansas, Missouri | THIS WEEK: Tuesday at Oklahoma, Saturday vs. Texas

THE RUB: Talent is great, but toughness is better. So is coaching.

4. IOWA STATE (14-5, 4-2) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Oklahoma State, Texas Tech | THIS WEEK: Tuesday at Texas, Saturday vs. Kansas

THE RUB: The Cyclones are looking more and more like an NCAA Tournament team.

5. KANSAS STATE (14-4, 3-3) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas, Oklahoma State | THIS WEEK:  Wednesday at Texas Tech, Saturday vs. Oklahoma

THE RUB: Now that Frank Martin’s gotten his annual suspension out of the way, will the Wildcats take off?

6. TEXAS (12-7, 2-4) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Kansas State, Kansas | THIS WEEK: Tuesday vs. Iowa State, Saturday at Baylor

THE RUB: Rough week for Texas, a bubble team that wasted two golden opportunities.

7. OKLAHOMA (12-6, 2-4) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas Tech, lost to Texas A&M | THIS WEEK: Tuesday vs. Baylor, Saturday at Kansas State

THE RUB: A win at A&M would have been big with Baylor at Kansas State next.

8. TEXAS A&M (11-7, 2-4) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Missouri, defeated Oklahoma | THIS WEEK: Monday at Kansas, Saturday vs. Oklahoma State

THE RUB: The Aggies haven’t looked good all season. Don’t see that changing.

9. OKLAHOMA STATE (9-10, 2-4) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Iowa State, Kansas State | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Missouri, Saturday at Texas A&M

THE RUB: Has Travis Ford suited up yet?

10. TEXAS TECH (7-11, 0-6) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Oklahoma, Iowa State | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Kansas State, Saturday at Missouri

THE RUB: Maybe Mike Leach can coach the offense.

I knew those 30 pounds came off way too easily. I mean, seriously, who loses 30 pounds in two months? OK, maybe if you weigh 500 pounds. Or, if you stop drinking soda, stop eating dairy, ignore those golden arches, run three miles a day in 100-degree temperatures and lift weights like there’s no tomorrow.

That was the recipe for going from 247 in mid-July to 217 in mid-September. And what do I weigh four months later? About 215 pounds. What am I doing differently? Oh, there’s the rub.

Still a workout warrior, I burn 6,000 calories or more a week.

I’m still a workout junkie. That has not changed. I average burning 800 to 1,000 calories a day with a combination of running, lifting, Tae Bo and situps. I’m going to change the routine in a few weeks, but the calorie count won’t change.

So why am I not losing more weight? There could be a lot of explanations. Maybe I’m putting on muscle. I like that one. The girlfriend’s very sweet to say that. Maybe I’m just supposed to weigh 215 pounds. Even at 5-foot-8, I have broad shoulders and a wide frame (and haven’t looked this good since Hootie and the Blowfish was popular). That’s why I’m supposed to weigh between 188 and 199 pounds. Those explanations don’t cut it.

It’s the intake. The food. The sodas here and there. Those fuckers add up. Of course, there was the dairyfest I indulged in on Christmas. The body simply does not respond well to any of that shit.

One thing I've cut way down on is beer. Not easily, of course.

I went into Christmas break (Dec. 22 to Jan 2 at work) weighing about 215 pounds. During that stretch, which included turkey dinners, pie, cheese, pop (all the garbage that fueled the 310-pound Ernie of a few years ago), I gained eight flippin’ pounds in less than two weeks.

At the same time, I was not as obsessive about working out. Probably less than half the calories burnt compared to usual. And I clearly paid for it.

The good news is I dove right back into the routine when I got back to work. In two weeks, I was down to 213 pounds. I’d just finished the longest run of my life. Then the girlfriend and I went on a road trip for the weekend.

It was good, but I paid for it.

The last day of that trip include a stop at Shakespeare’s in Columbia, Mo. Great pizza. Too good. Great beer. Also too good. The scale before bed? 218. “I fucking knew it.” Those where my words.

So, I punished myself today at the gym. Back down to 215 pounds. But how do I get over the next hurdle, the one that I’ve been tripping on for four months? It’s not complicated … eat better.

Even with a great workout routine, you’re not losing weight unless you eat what you should. That means really committing to not drinking pop, which is delicious but evil. Not splurging on the occasional dairy. Avoiding those “empty” calories.

What I can tell you is that there is no way in hell I’m giving up on this project. Not after 95 pounds, 10 inches off the waist, the infusion of confidence it comes with. And certainly not now that I’m 20 pounds away from reaching the summit.

So, suck it cheese, soda and junk food. I am going to beat you.

How about winning a game? Hear of that one, Frank?

1. BAYLOR (17-0, 4-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Kansas State, Oklahoma State | THIS WEEK: Monday at Kansas, Saturday vs. Missouri

THE RUB: The Bears continue to roll along but have their toughest week of the season coming up with games against Kansas and Missouri.

2. KANSAS (14-3, 4-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas Tech, Iowa State | THIS WEEK: Monday vs. Baylor, Saturday at Texas

THE RUB: The Jayhawks nearly got caught looking ahead Saturday. A loss at home to Baylor might cost them a Big 12 title.

3. MISSOURI (16-1, 3-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Iowa State, Texas | THIS WEEK: Monday vs. Texas A&M, Saturday at Baylor

THE RUB: The win at Iowa State looks even bigger after the Cyclones’ performance in Lawrence. Can the Tigers build on that momentum next Saturday on the road in Waco?

4. IOWA STATE (12-5, 2-2) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Missouri, Kansas | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Oklahoma State, Saturday at Texas Tech

THE RUB: The Clones got point-planked in the second half, dropping their second straight tough game against a conference contender.

5. TEXAS (12-5, 2-2) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas A&M, lost to Missouri | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Kansas State, Saturday vs. Texas

THE RUB: The Longhorns are too young to contend this year, but J’Covan Brown is having a hell of a season.

6. KANSAS STATE (12-4, 1-3) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Baylor, Oklahoma | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Texas, Saturday at Oklahoma State

THE RUB: A horrible week for the Wildcats, who coughed up a nine-point lead at home against Baylor, then laid an egg Saturday in Norman.

7. OKLAHOMA (11-5, 1-3) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Oklahoma State, defeated Kansas State | THIS WEEK: Tuesday vs. Texas Tech, Saturday at Texas A

THE RUB: The Sooners finally put two halves together Saturday, rolling to Lon Kruger’s first Big 12 win.

8. TEXAS A&M (10-6, 1-3) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Texas, Defeated Texas Tech | THIS WEEK: Monday at Missouri, Saturday vs. Oklahoma

THE RUB: The Aggies finally found the elixir they’ve been looking for – Texas Tech.

9. OKLAHOMA STATE (9-8, 2-2) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Oklahoma, lost to Baylor | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Iowa State, Saturday vs. Kansas State

THE RUB: The Cowboys have two conference wins. They’ll be lucky to double that total by the end of the season the way they played at Baylor.

10. TEXAS TECH (7-9, 0-4) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Kansas, Texas A&M | THIS WEEK: Tuesday at Oklahoma, Saturday vs. Iowa State

THE RUB: Who do the Red Raiders beat?

Missouri's finest moment in Big 12 play, ending kansas' dream and cupcake-fueled 2007 run at Arrowhead to move up to No. 1.

During Wednesday night’s Missouri-Iowa State game, the girlfriend and I were talking about her sister (a kansas basketball, but not football, of course, fan) talking trash via text message about the Tigers’ humbling loss to kansas State over the weekend.

I stopped mid-sentence, realizing at that moment that the days of talking smack with kansas fans might be numbered with Missouri heading to the SEC next year and the kansas schools possibly heading to the Mountain West in a few years.

Have to admit, I felt a little sadness. As we bid farewell to the football season, here are my favorite and least favorite memories of the remaining Big 12 schools:

Storming the field with the old man after Missouri's win over No. 1 Oklahoma will always rank among my favorite sports memories.

OKLAHOMA | Oklahoma leads 67-24-5 | Oklahoma won 8-2 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: The 2010 game in Columbia, Mo. Storming the field with my old man after the game is one of those great memories in life.

WHY I WON’T: Because you’re smug and arrogant, and you cheat (see Rhett Bomar, among others). But mostly because you always win. The 2007 win in the Big 12 championship game might have cost Missouri a national title.

OKLAHOMA STATE | Missouri leads 28-23 | Missouri won 5-4 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: The 1997 triple-overtime game that defined Missouri’s rise from the ashes to a bowl team and Gary Pinkel’s first Big 12 win … also a triple-overtime donnybrook.

WHY I WON’T: The 2008 upset of the third-ranked Tigers wrecked Missouri’s entire season. Mike Gundy’s ridiculous, misguided “I’m a man” rant. The whining and bitching about being in the championship game this year. YOU LOST TO IOWA STATE.

TEXAS | Texas leads 17-6 | Texas won 7-2 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: The year-in and year-out underachievement is great comedy. Ernest Blackwell torching the Horns in a 1997 game that served as the springboard for Missouri’s first bowl team in 15 years.

WHY I WON’T: Because you ruined the Big 12. Adios. And, as the redneck Toby Keith tune says above, you’re everybody’s daddy in the Big 12, regardless of your record.

Much as Eddie does with Clark, the Red Raiders mooch off the Longhorns. My apologies for the crude photoshop.

TEXAS TECH | Missouri leads 6-3 | Missouri won 6-2 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: Mike Leach’s era was awesome. Great guy to cover during my newspaper days. Plus, Missouri owns you.

WHY I WON’T: You’re the Cousin Eddie to Texas’ Clark Griswold. The 2010 loss that cost Mizzou a BCS bowl.

A Heisman winner at Baylor .... who would have thunk it?

BAYLOR | Missouri leads 10-4 | Missouri won 7-2 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: The 49-42 triple overtime game in 1996 (Missouri led 28-0 in the fourth quarter). And, of course, Robert Griffin III.

WHY I WON’T: See 1996-2009.

IOWA STATE | Missouri leads 61-34-9 | Missouri won 10-6 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: Classy fans. Troy Davis. Paul Rhoads. Missouri has owned you lately.

WHY I WON’T: The pathetic holding call at the end of the 2006 game, plus the failed two-point conversion against Nebraska last year.

kansas STATE | Missouri leads 60-32-5 | K-State won 11-5 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: Because Missouri dominated you (60-32-5 all-time) and you’re fun to talk trash with. Also, anything Ron Prince.

WHY I WON’T: Because you hid for 80 years, then became incredibly arrogant when you started winning. Ecokat.

kansas | Missouri leads 57-54-9 | Missouri won 9-7 during Big 12 era

WHY I’LL MISS YOU: I got nothin’.

WHY I WON’T: Where do I start?

Royce White and the Cyclones are 2-0 after the opening week of Big 12 play

Baylor holds serve, Kansas looks like the same-old Kansas and Iowa State surprises during the first week of conference play:

1. BAYLOR (15-0, 2-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas A&M, Texas Tech | THIS WEEK: Tuesday at Kansas State, Saturday vs. Oklahoma State

THE RUB: Tuesday’s game against the Wildcats figures to be a war. Can the Bears handle Kansas State’s WWE-style defense?

2. KANSAS (12-3, 2-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Kansas State, Oklahoma | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Texas Tech, Saturday vs. Iowa State

THE RUB: The Jayhawks struggled at times during the nonconference, but based on the first two games of conference play, there’s no reason to believe they won’t contend for another Big 12 title.

3. IOWA STATE (12-3, 2-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas, Texas A&M | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Missouri, Saturday at Kansas

THE RUB: Apparently the nonconference meant very little to the Cyclones, who demolished preseason favorite Texas A&M on the road. ISU has a huge week with games against Missouri and Kansas.

4. KANSAS STATE (12-2, 1-1) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Kansas, defeated Missouri | THIS WEEK: Tuesday vs. Baylor, Saturday at Oklahoma

THE RUB: The Wildcats can’t play much worse than they did at Kansas, or much better than they did at home against the Tigers.

5. MISSOURI (14-1, 1-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Oklahoma, lost to Kansas State | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Iowa State, Saturday vs. Texas

THE RUB: Saturday’s meltdown in Manhattan revealed some glaring weaknesses, notably size and toughness. A win Wednesday wipes that loss out. A loss and you begin to wonder if the road woes that plagued this team last season are back.

6. TEXAS (11-4, 1-1) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Iowa State, defeated Oklahoma State | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Texas A&M, Saturday at Missouri

THE RUB: A 2-0 week would put the Longhorns in the discussion for a Big 12 title.

7. OKLAHOMA STATE (8-7, 1-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Texas Tech, lost to Texas | THIS WEEK: Monday vs. Oklahoma, Saturday at Baylor

THE RUB: Conference wins figure to be hard to come by for this injury- and transfer-riddled team, though they should win Monday.

8. TEXAS A&M (9-5, 0-2) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Baylor, Iowa State | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Texas, Saturday vs. Texas Tech

THE RUB: The preseason favorite lost by three touchdowns at home to a team picked to finish near the bottom of the Big 12, which proves preseason predictions mean virtually nothing.

9. OKLAHOMA (10-4, 0-2) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Missouri, Kansas | THIS WEEK: Monday at Oklahoma State, Saturday vs. Kansas State

THE RUB: The Sooners played one good half in their first week of conference play. They were outscored by 49 points in the other three halves.

10. TEXAS TECH (7-7, 0-2) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Oklahoma State, Baylor | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Kansas, Saturday at Texas A&M

THE RUB: Give first-year coach Billy Gillispie credit for making a really bad team competitive in its first two conference games.

The smile sums up what was the best year of my life ... until 2012.

Ah, the end-of-year column/blog. I did one every year until 2010, largely because the year sucked for the most part. I look back at the difference a year made, and it’s staggering. It was so much better that it demands a return of the end-of-the-year blog (I’ll start with the end of 2010, which set the table for 2011) …

SEPTEMBER 2010: “Back in the days you was a girl I went to school wit …”

I’d just moved to Topeka, was working part-time at Hill’s Pet Nutrition and involved in a dysfunctional relationship straight out of a bad reality show. Still, there was that Sept. 8 Burlingame High football game. The one where I saw a girl from high school who happened to look pretty damn good …

OCTOBER 2010 : “And now I can’t deny, nothing lasts forever …”

The lone highlight was storming the field with my dad after Missouri’s win against No. 1 Oklahoma. The video represents the official end of the aforementioned relationship …

NOVEMBER 2010: “Scared to death, no reason why, do whatever to get me by …”

A tough month, going through the motions, summed up perfectly in one of the most underrated songs of all time …

DECEMBER 2010: “And I can’t be holding on to what you got when all you got is hurt …”

Moving on emotionally, healing, looking ahead to 2011 …

JANUARY 2011: “A green-eyed boy meets a blue-eyed girl …”

As written in previous blogs, the girlfriend pursued me for a while (not that I was smart enough to catch on right away), and when we did finally hang out, sparks flew. Yes, we met 20 years ago, but it really was, to paraphrase, a green-eyed boy meeting a blue-eyed girl. And it’s still this …

FEBRUARY 2011: “You the whole package, plus you pay yo taxes …”

Our first song. Also the month we traveled to Ames for our first Missouri game together. Also met her kids, who I’ve grown extremely fond of …

MARCH 2011: “We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field …”

The first of many trips to Royals games. Can’t express how great it feels to be home and close to The K again …

APRIL 2011: “Gonna stand my ground, won’t be turned around …”

I was patient when looking for the right job. It took nearly a year, but I landed on my feet at my alma mater as a media specialist. After 11 months away from the business … I missed it severely. I’m fortunate to end up with the job I have …

MAY 2011: “She’s got a smile that it seems to me reminds me of childhood memories …”

Two memorable moments: 1. Roasting the girlfriend’s sister, who’s been a friend for 20 years, at her birthday bash with a Happy 40th sign (she’s 36). 2. The girlfriend’s 20-year reunion, where the dorky freshman (me) was with the hottest senior in school …

JUNE 2011: “And when you finally fly away, I’ll be hoping that I served you well. For all the wisdom of a lifetime, no one can ever tell …”

My father and I, both Joplin, Mo., natives, drove home to see the aftermath of the May 22 tornado. A horrific scene, but the trip came about a year after I moved home and stayed with dad for several months before “flying away” …

JULY 2011: “My momma told me don’t lose you, cause the best luck I had was you …”

I followed those orders, moving in with the girlfriend in Overland Park. We also had a trip to St. Louis, taking in the zoo, a ballgame and several other sites …

AUGUST 2011: “He’s racing and pacing and plotting the course …”

During this month, I got serious about getting in shape, running up to three miles every day in 100-degree temperatures. And I did go the distance in the following month. My first alumni magazine also published during this month …

SEPTEMBER 2012: “Hey now, you’re an all-star, get your game on go play …”

I did something I’d always wanted to do in September: run a 5K. Without stopping or walking. This month also capped a 60-day stretch in which my weight went from 247 to 215 pounds. We also rocked Winefest, tearing up the dance floor to “Moves like Jagger …”

OCTOBER 2011: “Are you ready for some football? …”

I think I watched more football this month than any other month in my life, partly because everybody in the family loves it …

NOVEMBER 2011: “And just like the clouds, my eyes will do the same …”

This song really doesn’t apply, though it definitely would rain … I just love the song, and it became a hit about this time. The best one of 2011. Highlights in November included watching Missouri whip Kansas (again) at Arrowhead and Thanksgiving …

DECEMBER 2011: “All I do is win, win no matter what …”

So to sum up 2011: New girl, new nephew, new job, 40 pounds lost, 8,000 hits on this blog …

Marcus Denmon (left) and Missouri and Pierre Jackson and Baylor enter Big 12 play undefeated. Both teams are 13-0 and ranked in the top 10.

Big 12 teams are a combined 100-26 going into conference play, which begins tonight with Baylor vs. Texas A&M. Through the first two months of the season, the conference has two undefeated teams and four ranked in the Top 25.

1. MISSOURI (13-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Old Dominion | THIS WEEK: Tuesday vs. Oklahoma, Saturday at Kansas State

THE RUB: The Tigers survived a road test at ODU but get an even tougher assignment Saturday in Manhattan in a game that figures to consist of 73 fouls and 110 free throws.

2. BAYLOR (13-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Mississippi State | THIS WEEK: Tonight vs. Texas A&M, Saturday at Texas Tech

THE RUB: The Bears picked up a nice win against the 15th-ranked Bulldogs last week and should roll into next week undefeated.

3. KANSAS STATE (11-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Howard | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Kansas, Saturday vs. Missouri

THE RUB: The Wildcats have been a bit of a surprise thanks in part to a WWE-sponsored style of play. They open with the toughest first week in the conference, squaring off against two rivals.

4. KANSAS (10-3) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Howard, defeated North Dakota | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Kansas State, Saturday at Oklahoma

THE RUB: Howard the Duck might have provided better competition than the University last week. The Jayhawks have a relatively light stretch to begin Big 12 play and should get off to a strong start.

5. TEXAS (10-3) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Rice | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Iowa State, Saturday vs. Oklahoma State

THE RUB: Wednesday’s opener against Iowa State is one of the more intriguing games in the opening week of league play. The Cyclones have not been impressive thus far. Then again, Texas hasn’t been, either.

6. OKLAHOMA (10-2) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Cincinnati, defeated Northwestern State | THIS WEEK: Tuesday at Missouri, Saturday vs. Kansas

THE RUB: The Sooners wasted an opportunity against the Bearcats. Their reward for a solid start in Lon Kruger’s first season: An opening gauntlet of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma State and Kansas State. Ouch.

7. IOWA STATE (10-3) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Mississippi Valley State | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Texas, Saturday at Texas A&M

THE RUB: Hard to get excited about a two-point win over Jerry Rice’s former school. The opening week (Texas, Texas A&M) could serve as a springboard for the Cyclones.

8. TEXAS A&M (9-3) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Arkansas Tech | THIS WEEK: Tonight at Baylor, Saturday vs. Iowa State

THE RUB: Which has been a bigger disappointment: The Aggies on the football field or basketball court?

9. OKLAHOMA STATE (7-6) | LAST WEEK: Defeated SMU, lost to Virginia Tech | THIS WEEK: Wednesday vs. Texas Tech, Saturday at Texas

THE RUB: There’s no truth to the rumor that Doug Gottlieb is going to come out of retirement to play point guard (and shoot 17 percent from the free-throw line) for the Cowboys.

10. TEXAS TECH (7-5) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Southeastern Louisiana | THIS WEEK: Wednesday at Oklahoma State, Saturday at Baylor

THE RUB: The Red Raiders should lure Bobby Knight out of retirement, if for no other reason than to get him out of the broadcast booth.

The Tigers wasted a 14-point lead in the second half but rebounded in the closing minutes to win their third straight Braggin' Rights game.

Missouri, Baylor and Kansas State continue to roll, Kansas suffers a rather sobering loss and Texas A&M continues to tumble. A look at the Week Two rankings with conference play a week away:

1. MISSOURI (12-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated William and Mary, Illinois | THIS WEEK: Friday at ODU

THE RUB: Of concern is the Tigers’ relapse to the selfish offense of last season maddening for fans. But Frank Haith had to be happy with the way his team responded at crunch time against the rival Illini, avoiding what would have been a meltdown in the second half.

2. BAYLOR (12-0) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Paul Quinn, St. Mary’s, West Virginia | THIS WEEK: Tonight vs. Mississippi State

THE RUB: The Bears survived a push from West Virginia and get their toughest test of the season today against the 15th-ranked Bulldogs.

3. KANSAS STATE (10-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Southern Illinois, UTEP, Long Beach State | THIS WEEK: Saturday vs. Howard

THE RUB: Anyone else notice the Wildcats were much more impressive against the 49ers than the archrival Jayhawks were?

4. KANSAS (8-3) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Davidson, defeated USC | THIS WEEK: Thursday vs. Howard, Saturday vs. North Dakota

THE RUB: Really, Kansas? Davidson? Seriously? Did Stephon Curry come back for a senior season?

5. TEXAS (9-3) | LAST WEEK: Lost to North Carolina | THIS WEEK: Saturday vs. Rice

THE RUB: Maybe this is the year the Longhorns don’t fall apart at the end of the season … probably not.

6. OKLAHOMA (9-1) | LAST WEEK: Defeated South Carolina State | THIS WEEK: Thursday at Cincinnati, Saturday vs. Northwestern State

THE RUB: With several Cincy players still sidelined in the aftermath of the brawl against Xavier, we won’t learn much about the Sooners this week. We’ll know plenty in early January, as Oklahoma opens Big 12 play at Missouri, vs. Kansas, at Oklahoma State and vs. Kansas State … gulp.

7. IOWA STATE (9-3) | LAST WEEK: Defeated Lipscomb | THIS WEEK: Saturday vs. Mississippi Valley State

THE RUB: Two of the Cyclones’ first three conference games are at home against Texas and Missouri, which gives this team of misfits a chance to build momentum early.

8. TEXAS A&M (8-3) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Rice | THIS WEEK: Thursday vs. Arkansas Tech

THE RUB: The Aggies lost to Rice at home. That says plenty.

9. OKLAHOMA STATE (6-5) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Alabama | THIS WEEK: Tonight at SMU, Saturday vs. Virginia Tech

THE RUB: At the rate the Cowboys are losing point guards, Travis Ford may have to suit up.

10. TEXAS TECH (5-5) | LAST WEEK: Lost to Oral Roberts, defeated Cal-State Bakersfield | THIS WEEK: Friday at Southeastern Louisiana

THE RUB: The Red Raiders can always look forward to their bowl game … or not.

It was Niagara Falls when the girlfriend got her last two gifts, one of which was a personalized card I made.

I’ve admitted many times through the years that I’m a hopeless romantic. I think we can drop the hopeless tag now that I’ve managed to convince the most beautiful woman on the planet to fall in love with me. As it turns out, nice guys don’t finish last. In fact, they can kick some serious ass, which is what I’d like to think I did this Christmas …

Before the girlfriend and I dated, we spent quite a bit of time flirting via Facebook. It really was a great game of catch me if you can (never mind that I was too dumb to realize the mouse was trying to reel the oblivious cat in for quite some time).

As written in a previous blog, the courtship accelerated right before Christmas in 2010 when she penned a 12 days of Christmas wish list on Facebook. Pretty sure she knew I was following those posts closely (I commented on several). I wrote every one of them down. Not sure why, though I’d like to think I knew something special was just around the corner.

Several months later, after we’d been dating for a while, I began planning to make our first Christmas one she’d remember forever. What better way to do that than deliver the 12 days of Christmas?

The great thing about her list is that it’s not outlandish. It’s quite reasonable. No cars. No houses. Nothing I can’t afford. It’s also an extremely sweet list, one I’m convinced made me want her that much more.

I began planning months ago, recruiting her sister to help. She was vital in advising me on a handful of the items, most notably the biggest and most important item on the list (or so I thought).

Here’s how the plan came together …

THE RING …

I couldn't wait a month to give her the bling, so she got it the day I purchased it at Pandora's.

Jewelry was one of the 12 items on her list, and the most difficult to find. I looked at hundreds of rings, earrings, necklaces, etc. Finally, I asked her sister for help. She accomplished in about an hour what I’d spent weeks on … sending me a few suggestions to pick from. When I saw the ring pictured above, I knew we had a winner.

I gave her the ring in late November. Why? If I’d started the list 12 days from Christmas, she would have figured it out. That and I couldn’t wait to give it to her.

BARBECUE AND BLUES

There's something hot about a woman who can eat more barbecue than you.

Understand that the girlfriend is a small woman. She’s petite and really doesn’t eat much. But good lord can she put the barbecue away. In fact, she often eats more than I do when we go to our favorite spot … B.B.’s in Kansas City.

We went there several times this year … scratch two items off the list.

TIME WITH HER KIDS

Trick or treating, Dave & Busters, homework ... all part of being a positive male role model.

I say “her” kids because that was on her list. We refer to them as “our” kids nowadays. Anyway, I’ve made a concerted effort to be a father figure, not their dad. Not because it’s on her list, but because they’re great kids.

I’ve taken her oldest son to work to show him what I do and treated her daughter to Dave & Busters. The other part of this gift fell in place perfectly … I spent three hours on the Tuesday before Christmas helping her younger son with his math homework.

A NICE DINNER

The beginning of a pasta dish the girlfriend and kids have come to love.

Honestly, our nice dinners together our evenings alone at home. I love cooking for her. Some of the favorites include non-dairy alfredo, chicken enchiladas and chicken stir fry. And there will be plenty of out-and-about dinners in 2012.

FLOWERS

You know you buy a lot of flowers when your voice is recognized immediately by the florist on the phone.

Might as well have been a gardener as many flowers as she got in 2011. Let’s just say the florist near her workplace recognizes my voice enough that she answers with “I’ll send them this afternoon” before I say a word.

I also snuck off on Christmas Eve and brought home flowers.

DRESS

This ended up being a bit too small. That's a better mistake than getting something too big.

She opened this on the morning of Christmas Eve as we spent our Christmas with the kids. I hesitated to let her open this one, as I suspected she might catch on. Turns out she did catch on. Luckily for me, she didn’t remember everything on the list anyway.

A LITTLE ACTION UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Let's be honest .. if the physical part of a relationship isn't good, forget it. Just saying.

Our parents read this blog, so as Seinfeld once said “I’m little too old for details.” Let’s just say we have a very healthy and passionate love life.

IT’S JUST US

There wasn't much alone time, but our first Christmas included five stops over two days with some fine folks, including her adorable niece.

Just the two of us, enjoying this special time of year together. We shared a great moment on Christmas Eve once the kids went to bed (explained momentarily), then had four stops on Christmas Day, hand-in-hand. I cannot imagine a better Christmas.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

The year started with a bang (the beginning of the relationship) ... and the latter part of 2011 included dressing up in our best duds. Perfect way to break in 2012.

Yet to come, but we’ll be together. The perfect way to say good-bye to a wonderful year that began with the beginning of a great love story.

BIRTHDAY

Her birthday gift was also a gift to myself

Like many people who have a birthday around Christmas, the girlfriend has often received a gift(s) that counted as a Christmas and birthday present. Seriously, that would suck. For her birthday, I saved one last gift … something from Victoria’s Secret.

A HEARTFELT CARD

A personalized Christmas card, which rounded out the 12 days of Christmas.

The least expensive item on the gift, and the one that produced a waterfall of tears. It’s very personal and will remain so, but it’s three pages full of my words and images from our first year together. When she read it 45 minutes before the official beginning of Christmas, I knew I’d hit a home run …

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

A woman who loves the Royals: Cha-freaking-ching!

Within the card was a certificate for a 13-game pass for the Royals 2012 season … one of our many shared passions.

It hasn’t been a year since we started “this.” There are times when it feels like we’ve been together forever. The first year has gone by so fast. It’s been so rewarding. I’m sitting here thinking “how in the hell do I top this next year?”

Impossible? Maybe. But I did manage to woo the hottest woman on the planet. Don’t bet against me.