e went through three straight full practices since late in the 2014 season. After Sundays win against the

By now, Meb Keflezighi is familiar with every patch of asphalt on the New York City Marathon route. Authentic John Franklin-Myers Jersey .He has run the race 10 times, finishing as high as first and as far back as 23rd. Its a race he holds dear for his 2009 victory -- coming at a time when some believed his career was over -- and for the way the city has opened its arms to him, time and again. Fans have cheered his every stride through the five boroughs. He calls it the marathon of the world for its diverse field and crowds.So, hes excited to return to New York for Sundays race. This time, hes even guaranteed a lead position.For the first time since 2012, Keflezighi, 41, wont be running. Instead, hell be one of the races grand marshals, along with his U.S. marathon teammates from this summers Olympics. Hell be in the lead vehicle with a chance to see the race unfold without breaking a sweat.Its going to be a whole different perspective, he said.Related story from Competitor.com: How to watch the NYC MarathonRelated story from Competitor.com: Molly Huddle ready for her marathon debutThese days, Keflezighi is taking some time to look at everything from a new angle. After competing in his fourth Olympics, hes transitioning into a retirement that could take many shapes. Its a transition that will take a while.He plans to run two more marathons, both in 2017. That would give him 26 career marathon finishes.Twenty-six marathons for the distance, he said, referring to the races 26.2-mile length. And Im also going to be 42 years old. In terms of running international, its 42 kilometers and 195 meters. So, 42 years old and 26 marathons in honor of the distance.He said nothing is official on which races hell run. Hes hopeful they will be Boston and New York. A finale in New York would be a fitting farewell. He made his marathon debut there in 2002.But were still working out the details, he said.Keflezighi will continue to train and run through next year and beyond, but he knows its time for his marathon career to end. After that, hell run half-marathons, 15Ks, 10Ks and other shorter distances, while putting most of his attention on his family, his Meb Foundation and business and charitable interests.Ive been running 26 years, he said. I just dont want to do competitive marathons where people, believe it or not, still expect me to win. Even though Im 41, 42, they want me to win. But expectations, external and internal -- even though I have the desire to do those things, go to Rio, get the gold -- I wish it were that simple. Everything has to click. Sometimes, you just have to be thankful for the things you have earned.No unturned stonesWhat Keflezighi has earned has been remarkable.Hes the only marathoner to have won an Olympic medal (silver in 2004) while also winning at Boston and New York. He was on the 2000, 2004, 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic teams. He won 23 national championships at various distances. And he won four NCAA titles at UCLA before turning pro in 1998.My career has been more special than I could have ever imagined, he said. Im grateful for that.He said theres no unturned stones in his marathon career. He has accomplished more than he dreamed. His only goal for his final two marathons will be to finish in the top 10. They wont be ceremonial strolls.I dont want to say, Ahh, I just finished it, he said. I want to finish strong and be as competitive as I can be.Keflezighi, who came to the United States with his family from war-torn Eritrea at the age of 12, discovered running as a middle schooler in San Diego. He then became a standout at San Diego High School and earned a scholarship to UCLA. He excelled at cross country and the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. He made his first Olympic team in the 10,000 and competed in the 2000 Sydney Summer Games. The following year, he set a U.S. 10K record (27:13.98).It wasnt until 2002 that he ran his first marathon, finishing New York in 2:12:35, good for ninth place.At the time, he said he never wanted to do a marathon again -- yet he actually had found his calling. Now he laughs when sharing his only regret: What I now know, I wish I knew then.Whats next?Keflezighis whole focus earlier this year was on making the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and doing as well as possible. He qualified by finishing second in the U.S. trials in Los Angeles in February, running 2:12:20. At 40, he became the oldest American marathoner to qualify for the summer games.He went into the Olympics feeling strong, but he got sick on race day and had to stop several times to throw up. He willed himself to continue. Then, as he approached the finish, he slipped on the wet pavement and fell face down across the line -- where he promptly did three pushups to show he was fine, got up and celebrated his 33rd-place finish in 2:16:46.Though disappointed, hes proud of what he did in Brazil. One reason he wanted to go to a fourth Olympics was so his three daughters (ages 10, 8 and 6) would have a memory of their father in the Rio Games.They were there at the finish with wife Yordanos, brother Hawi and longtime coach Bob Larsen.They remember it, Keflezighi said. That was the whole goal. My youngest daughter does remember. When she was asked what was the best part of the summer, she said, When Daddy competed in Rio.Time with his wife and daughters is at the top of Keflezighis wish list now, as he transitions into retirement. He said travel and training have taken too much time from them.He hopes to blend family time with the work he does for the Meb Foundation, which is focused on helping children to be healthy and successful. Also on that list is doing public speaking and coaching. Hes interested in coaching every type of athlete, from collegiate standouts to men and women who simply want to complete in a half-marathon.Keflezighi said he doesnt want to be known as just a fine runner but also as a positive citizen and contributor to society.And Keflezighis post-marathon world also will be filled with appearances and work for his many sponsors. Last weekend, he was at a half-marathon in Sonoma, California, mingling with runners for a company that makes jerky products. Included among his other sponsors are companies that make shoes, printers, nutrition bars, compression socks, sunglasses and tires.Though he wont be running in Sundays New York City Marathon, hes still having a busy race week. On Tuesday, he received an award from famed distance runner Grete Waitzs AKTIV Against Cancer organization for his philanthropic work, and hell take part in a news conference with the grand marshals Thursday.Twenty-four marathons down, two to go. Theres still more work to do.It is my plan, said Keflezighi, laughing, but sometimes you wonder why you come up with these things. Cheap Rams Jersey . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Authentic Travin Howard Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. http://www.cheaplosangelesramsjerseysaut...ah-kiser-jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. FRISCO, Texas -- For nearly five minutes, an emotional Tony Romo addressed his past, present and future as Dallas Cowboys quarterback almost three months after suffering a compression fracture in his back that has kept him out of the first nine games of the regular season.Romo read a prepared statement that lasted just under five minutes, and did not take any questions.Romo accepted that he will be Dak Prescotts backup when he returns this week against the Baltimore Ravens.Hes earned the right to be our quarterback, Romo said. As hard as that is for me to say, hes earned that right. Hes guided our team to an 8-1 record and thats hard to do. If you think for a second that I dont want to be out there, then youve probably never felt the pure ecstasy of competing and winning. That hasnt left me. In fact it may burn more now than ever.Romo entered 2016 feeling as good about his game as he has ever felt. He was able to go through an entire offseason program and training camp without any issues from a back that required two surgeries in 2013. The twice-broken left collarbone that forced him to miss 12 games last year was surgically repaired in the offseason.Then on the third play of the Aug. 25 preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, Romo suffered a compression fracture of his L1 vertebra when hit from behind by defensive end Cliff Avril. He attempted to re-enter the game but was held out. After the contest he expressed confidence that his back was able to withstand such a hit. On the next day he was diagnosed with the fracture.To say the first half of the season has been emotional would be a huge understatement, Romo said. Getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team youve ever had was a soul-crushing moment for me. Then to learn its not three of our weeks but 10 is another blow. And through it all you have a tremendous amount of guilt on having let your teammates, fans and organization down. After all they were depending on you to bring them a championship. Thats what quarterbacks arre supposed to do. Cheap Rams Jerseys Authentic. Thats how were judged. I love that. I still do.In his 14th year and 36 years old, Romo knows he does not have many chances left to compete for a championship.He said he has felt like an outsider, as the Cowboys have put together the best record in the NFL while he rehabbed. Last week marked the first time he went through three straight full practices since late in the 2014 season. After Sundays win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the Cowboys would go with Prescotts hot hand.Its a dark place, probably the darkest its ever been, Romo said. Youre sad and down and out and you ask yourself, Why did this have to happen? Its in this moment you find out who you really are and what youre really about.Romo also knows the business of the NFL. In 2006, he did what Prescott is doing. Bill Parcells went to him over Drew Bledsoe after six games and he spurred the Cowboys on to the playoffs. He has been the Cowboys starting quarterback ever since, becoming the franchise leader in touchdown passes and yards while compiling a 78-49 record.Its not always easy to watch, Romo said. I think anybody whos been in this position understands that. But what is clear is that I was that kid once, stepping in, having to prove yourself. I remember the feeling like it was yesterday. It really is an incredible time in your life. And if I remember one thing from back then, its the people that helped me along when I was young.And if I can be that to Dak, you know, Ive tried to be and I will be going forward. We all know something magical is happening to our team. Im not going to allow this situation to negatively affect Dak or this football team by becoming a constant distraction. I think Dak knows that I have his back. And I think I know that he has mine. Ultimately, its about the team. Its what weve preached our entire lives. ' ' '