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COLUMBIA, S.C. - Marcus Lattimore feels close to 100 per cent and is counting down the days until he can run free and easy for the San Francisco 49ers. The former South Carolina tailback is back in his home state speaking to church groups and running youth clinics and camps. And through it all, hes got April 21st circled in red — thats when the 49ers open workouts and Lattimore has the green light to run as he did in 2012 before the second of two devastating knee injuries during college. "The left knee, it feels like nothing ever happened," Lattimore told The Associated Press by phone. "The right knee, it feels great. Both feel balanced. Ive got my speed and I rarely get any soreness" after workouts. For Lattimore, thats major progress after facing questions following his injuries while at South Carolina. He was one of the Southeastern Conferences rushing leaders in 2011 when he tore ligaments in his right knee in a game at Mississippi State and missed the Gamecocks final six games. After surgery and a furious rehab regimen and saw him return to the practice field a month ahead of schedule, Lattimore was ready for his junior season. That ended in October against Tennessee when he got hit on his left knee, again needing surgery to repair ligament damage. Lattimore again worked to rehab, not only to get back on the field but to prove to NFL teams he was worth drafting. The 49ers agreed and selected Lattimore in the fourth round last spring and told him not worry about rushing back to play last season. It wasnt easy, but Lattimore understood the patient approach would prove fruitful down the road. "I was just so grateful they believed in what I could do," Lattimore said. Lattimore held a youth football clinic in Charleston this past Saturday and has similar sessions planned for Greenville and Columbia the next few months. Lattimores kept a high profile in South Carolina since heading to the West Coast as a spokesman for several organizations, including a commercial for the South Carolina Education Lottery about playing responsibly. These days, hes promoting South Carolinas First Choice Fit Adolescent Well Visit campaign, which stresses the importance of proper nutrition, exercise and building a relationship with a primary care physician among adolescent first choice Medicaid plan members statewide. Lattimore said he learned through his injuries about not cutting corners with your health and believes young people who follow that advice will see the benefits throughout their lives. Dr. Marion Burton, medical director for the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, says the group couldnt have a more well-respected representative than Lattimore. Many health professionals and administrators dont have a way to communicate with adolescents, but "Marcus sure does," Dr. Burton said. Lattimore said it wasnt easy watching from the sidelines while his San Francisco teammates were playing. He bonded the strongest, he says, with other injured players in similar rehab situations. Lattimore says he poured himself into learning coach Jim Harbaughs playbook so hed be as prepared as possible for workouts. "Man, its thick," he joked. Hes spent time with 49ers running back Frank Gore, who returned from college injury to become a five-time Pro Bowl selection in San Francisco. Lattimore says Gore has provided a strong example of how to handle oneself as a pro. Lattimore was nervous about moving so far away from home and small-town life, but his family came out frequently and he learned that San Francisco had its positives, too. "This is a very healthy place," Lattimore says. "People like to eat right and do lots of things to keep fit." Lattimore believes for him thats going full speed so he can contribute to the 49ers quest of getting back to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens after the 2012 season. He says he tells himself all the time to remain patient when hes back in action. "I cant go out there and be Superman the first day," he says. "Once I get back in the groove and take a few hits, Ill be OK." Pirates Jerseys China .ca. The NHL Play of the Year showdown kicks off with some slick moves going head-to-head with a combination of soft hands and endless patience. Custom Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys . JOHNS, N. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ .com) - Jahlil Okafor had 21 points, Tyus Jones scored 16 with 10 assists and No. Fake Pirates Jerseys . Nikolai Khabibulin was yanked in the second period, and the Ottawa Senators looked ready to put away a big road win. Pirates Jerseys 2020 . Berdych and Stepanek played all five matches when the Czechs beat Spain 3-2 in the final last November in Prague to win the countrys first title as an independent nation.MANAMA, Bahrain -- Mercedes engines led the way at Formula One preseason testing as Kevin Magnussen of McLaren topped the time sheets on Thursday. Magnussen lapped the desert Sakhir Circuit in 1 minute, 34.910 seconds to edge Nico Hulkenberg of Force India -- which also used the German manufacturers engine -- by over half a second. Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was third with 1:36.516, in front of Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg.dddddddddddd Valtteri Bottas of Williams rounded out the top five. Red Bulls tepid preseason continued with four-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel finishing with a seventh-best lap of 1:40.340 thanks to a Renault engine. Vettel says "we did more laps (59) than we have done so far and thats the big thing." The season begins on March 16 at the Australian Grand Prix. ' ' '