1. Most importantly -- train, train, train. You don't just go out and run 26.2 miles. You build your milage slowly up, and do several 20+ mile training runs. Training for four games today was much easier, as I've spent a good portion of my life in front of a TV watching baseball.

2. Hydrate -- In college, I had a couple of friends who saved every beer can they emptied one fall semester, building an enormous "Christmas tree" from them in the corner of their living room. I wish I had done something like that today. It's in the 90's here today, and the climate-control in the press box is somewhat lacking, so by my count I've been through 6 bottles of water, two Diet Dr. Peppers, three Diet Cokes, one 7-Up, and a couple of sips of really nasty Diet Rite caffeine-free cola.

3. Fuel -- You can't do a marathon on just water alone. You need to consume calories to keep you going. Boy, the Big 12 staff has brought the calories and then some. I've had cinnamon rolls, pizza twice, bratwurst and kraut, potato chips, chex mix, chips and salsa, and some ridiculously good coconut/oatmeal/raisin cookies. I expect to return home Sunday packing an extra 20 pounds.

Meanwhile, we're having a fun one here in the nightcap. Oklahoma State's first three batters of the game all lashed hits, and only a 5-3 DP kept the score 2-0. Missouri starter Nathan Culp then really settled down and struck out the side in the 2nd. In the top of the third, Missouri has rallied to take a 3-2 lead.

We also have a big, loud, mostly orange-clad crowd that's giving the umpires hell right now. On a chopper behind first last inning, the first-base ump correctly called the ball fair, put pointed into foul territory. That may have caused the pitcher to be slow to cover first, and the runner beat everyone to the bag. Many in the crowd spent the rest of the inning yelling "FAIR BALL!!!" on anything shanked into the stands and yelling "FOUL BALL!!!" on fly balls to center.

Whoops, and Okie State leadoff hitter Corey Brown just cranked a homer to center to tie it. 3-3 heading into the 4th. This is fun stuff! Much more fun than running the last five miles of a marathon...