ut of the fifth. He gave up seven hits and five runs in 4 2/3 inni

The two roads connecting Marathon and Athens in Greece are equally arduous. One is longer by four miles, the other is short, but mountainous. In 490 BC, Phidippides endured the distance from the Marathon battleground to deliver an important message -- the long-distance courier collapsed upon reaching the finish line, but only after announcing Athenss victory over Persia. So goes the story of the first marathon runner who ran not simply because he could but because he needed to.Centuries later, marathon runners across the globe take to the long road for the sheer joy of it -- some with more purpose than others. Rahaf Khatib, a Muslim-American from Michigan, is one such runner.Like Phidippides, Khatib also carries a weighty message through her course.Were just as much a part of this as everyone else, she says. And were all going to be crossing the same finish lines at the end.It is a counsel worthy of notice, now more than ever.Khatib, the daughter of Syrian immigrants and a self-described average but persistent runner, has been running for four years. What began as a cursory participation in the local 10K in Dearborn, Michigan, transformed into an enduring passion.I literally jumped from zero running, to a 10K to a [half, then] full marathon, she says.She completed six marathons in just two years, as well as 12 half-marathons and two sprint-triathlons. Shes done two of the six World Major Marathons since. That is no minor feat for someone without a robust history of athleticism.Unlike many athletes, Khatib did not take part in after-school sports clubs and programs during her growing years. Like many immigrant parents, hers also focused less on athletics than on academia and overlooked its benefits without a presenting talent.Equipped with only an app on her phone to record her pace and distance, Khatib took on the 10K Martian Marathon in Dearborn, Michigan.I was wearing cotton even, at the time, she says, laughing. And you know what they say? Cotton is rotten!With her first run done, Khatib returned for a half-marathon before attempting a full one in 2014. Experience became her gradual, but willing, teacher. Without a coach or a plan, Khatib learned how to train for a run through her own research using library books, the internet and social media groups.Running became a lifestyle, and one she learned to balance with the resilience of a stay-at-home mother of three elementary school-aged children. Finding time to run between school drop-offs, adopting greener dietary habits and training religiously disciplined Khatib to become a more seasoned runner.Immersion into the running community became relatively fluid. Despite the inclusion, however, she was not spared the occasional scrutiny. Her fully-clothed appearance, complete with a hijab, elicited stereotypical reactions:?Are Muslim women allowed to run? How could she run with all that on? Was she not boiling in there? On particularly hot days, the inquiries surpassed curiosity.Khatib countered the questions with calm reassurance. No, the layers did not exacerbate the heat. The long sleeves, in fact, kept her cooler and added SPF protection. Yes, she was totally fine.Besides, she says, running in a bra doesnt necessarily make you cooler. Ninety degrees is 90 degrees for everybody.The negative perceptions prompted Khatib to post a pertinent comment under a cover-girl call for Womens Running magazine. Why were female Muslim-American athletes underrepresented in the fitness world? To bridge this gap, Khatib entered the contest. And in an unprecedented move, the magazine responded by choosing her as the face of its October 2016 cover. Khatibs message was delivered. And the response was surprisingly heartening.Though naysayers attacked the magazine and its new covered-girl with mounting hate mail, Khatib persisted, undeterred by the abuse.Nobody, not political or religious figures, should be given control of peoples thoughts, she says. We need to [think and] speak for ourselves.Her historical cover, she believes, depicts the beauty of her faith that allows women the freedom to pursue whatever they want no matter what they wear. Its a positive spin to crafted negativity. Khatibs image on Womens Running illustrates her point evocatively. Flanked by soft-selling captions, she leans against the backdrop with her arms crossed and not a hair out of place, flashing a knowing smile thats both humble yet unyielding. Its difficult to ignore her appearance, which challenges conventional perceptions of what a fit American woman can look like.Once she begins to run, Khatibs only focus is the run itself.Im totally in my zone, like any other runner out there, she says.Having veiled since high school, Khatib finds the dearth of more modest athletic wear a bigger deterrent than her hijab. Her concern signals a lack of representation in the mainstream, where sports brands cater to only one type of athlete. And its not her.Through her recent réclame, Khatib hopes to change prevailing attitudes and perhaps even grab the attention of fitness brands to feature more women like her. Longer tops, for example, or an athletic hijab from Nike, she says.?By questioning the consistent oversight in featuring women like her or addressing their needs, Khatib highlights a more pervasive problem in American society -- its failure to recognize its own diversity.Khatib, whose parents fled a repressive Syria in the 1980s to seek freedom and higher education, takes pride in her layered identity. To the broader Syrian-American community, she manifests the dream that brought them here in their escape from dictatorship. To everyone else, she embodies the hope they still have in the belligerent now.Her achievements as a Muslim-American woman, mother and marathoner are showcased by her very visibility. People from different backgrounds can live and work together tirelessly as part of this society, she believes, no matter the race, religion or orientation.This is what America is made of, she says. And the running community reflects it.While she accepts the publicity that has accompanied her magazine feature, Khatibs grace and humility is admirable. Her conversations rarely meander from their path, and she refuses to court controversy to communicate her point. Instead, she accentuates the ordinariness of American-Muslims who are professionals and athletes living regular lives and often participating in various activities such as running, lifting and playing sports.Khatibs approachability makes her relatable. Her blog and Instagram handle, Run Like A Hijabi, normalizes modesty in the active world.With a slew of runs under her belt, Khatib now works with a coach and trains by running 24 to 45 miles a week. Her recovery phase incorporates strength-training and yoga. She aims to complete all the World Major Marathons, a few more triathlons, and tackle the ambitious Half Ironman. For now.Her personal goal as a runner eclipses the more immediate ones. Like Phidippides, Khatib does not run to win. She races only against herself and the barrier of time set by her own pace. Moving swiftly past the obstacles, she runs along the steady stream of bodies with her faith on her head and a singular purpose in her stride. As she reaches each finish line, Khatib delivers her message to the world. Not because she needs to, but because she can.Nasha Khan is a freelance writer with a graduate writing degree from the University of Southern California. She has studied under noted writers at the University of Cambridge. Her work was recently featured in The Tempest and Blue Minaret.?Balenciaga Sneakers Clearance nz . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Balenciaga Store Nz .Y. -- Paul Byron and Matt Stajan scored as the Calgary Flames started a five-game road trip with a 2-1 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon. http://www.clearancebalenciaganz.com/ . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Balenciaga Sneakers Nz . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Balenciaga Clearance Sale Nz . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Adrian Beltres decisive grand slam came shortly after the Texas Rangers ended a 24-inning scoreless streak -- and three batters after Shin-Soo Choo was possibly lost for the season with a fractured left forearm when he was hit by a pitch.The news on Choo, who is headed to the disabled list for the fourth time this season, dampened a 5-2 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night following consecutive shutout losses at home to Detroit.Hes such a key part of this ballclub, this organization, manager Jeff Banister said of his right fielder, who started this game as the designated hitter in his regular leadoff spot. You feel terrible for him personally and obviously its a gut punch but one that were going to be challenged with.Martin Perez pitched seven strong innings for his first win since late June.Beltres 100th home run at Globe Life Park, which went about a dozen rows above the 14-foot wall in left field, came against former teammate Ross Detwiler (1-1) in the fifth inning with Texas trailing 2-1.Following the pitch from Detwiler that hit Choo, Ian Desmond and Carlos Beltran singled to set up the 10th career slam for Beltre.Choo checked his swing as the ball hit an area near his left wrist, and he immediately dropped to one knee. He left after spending several minutes talking to an athletic trainer and was replaced by Nomar Mazara.The 34-year-old Choo has been limited to 45 games by calf and hamstring strains and lower back inflammation. Team spokesman John Blake said the injury was similar to one sustained in April by catcher Robinson Chirinos, who missed two months.Somebody you played with last year, somebody thats your friend, you hate for that pitch to get away from you, said Detwiler, who opened 2015 in the Texas rotation but was let go after starting 0-5. Its not a good sign when you get pulled out of the game.The AL West-leading Rangers -- the first AL team to 70 wins -- were an out shy of 25 straight scoreless innings when Elvis Andrus lined a single to right in the fourth.Perez (8-8) gave up five hits and two runs -- one earned -- with six strikeouts in seven innings.dddddddddddd He had gone 0-4 over eight starts since a 6-2 win against Boston on June 26.The left-hander set a Texas record with his 32nd groundball double play, an inning-ender by Brett Eibner in the fourth. C.J. Wilson had the previous mark of 31 in 2011. Perez got another one to end the sixth.Matt Bush struck out two in a perfect eighth, and Sam Dyson got another double play in the ninth for his 27th save.Coming off eight shutout innings in a 1-0 win over Baltimore in his first big league start this season, Detwiler held the Rangers scoreless for three innings but didnt make it out of the fifth. He gave up seven hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings.Ryon Healy led off the second with his sixth homer to give Oakland a 2-0 lead.REPLACING CHOOThe Rangers will recall outfielder Ryan Rua from Triple-A Round Rock to take Choos spot on the roster. Mazara, a rookie who emerged the first time Choo got hurt this season, will see time in right. The leadoff spot was mostly a mix of Jurickson Profar and Delino DeShields during Choos third DL stint with the back injury.BELTRES BLASTThe homer was Beltres 19th of the season and gave him 432 for his career, breaking a tie with Cal Ripken on the career list. It was Beltres first slam since April 2, 2011, his second game with the Rangers. John Lackey was pitching for Boston, Beltres team the previous year.UP NEXTAthletics: RHP Andrew Triggs (0-1, 5.50 ERA) is in his eighth stint with Oakland this season. He has two starts among his first 20 appearances, including a 9-6 loss to Baltimore last week.Rangers: RHP Lucas Harrell (3-2, 4.20 AL/NL) is scheduled for his fourth start with Texas while facing the prospect of being replaced in the rotation by Derek Holland, who is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list Saturday following a bout with left shoulder inflammation. ' ' '