Sub 2:30 SMASHED!

Where do I start for this marathon? First of all I usually go run this marathon as a tuneup for a spring marathon. I don't think I had the luxury to train for this marathon as I've had too many setbacks this year. I decided to go run this marathon before 2012 ended? Why? Because I'm going to have a corneal transplant on Dec 20, 2012! Yes a corneal freaking transplant! I've been bummed about marathon training all this year! It first started in April running the Boston Marathon I ran a 2:51 for that marathon IT WAS HOT! After coming back from Boston I fell down at work and hurt my back.  I took a break from running and I decided to start training back again in June, July and then bang I got an ulcer on my eye! That set me back another 7 weeks and well now here I am typing this and talking about my 15th marathon!

I'd like to thank Wally's Bicycle for sponsoring for this race! This is how the cookie crumbled! I left to San Antonio at 5 am for my preop, left san antonio at 11:00 am and then headed back to Laredo, Texas. I ate chickfila and headed back on the road to McAllen, Texas. I got into McAllen at 5:30 pm picked up my packet and then headed to Wally's House! I picked up Olive Garden before heading to Wally's! I ate and chilled till around 9:30 pm and that's when I decided to crash out!

On sunday Morning I woke up at 5:00 am and got my things ready! I got there at 6:20 a.m. as I headed to the restrooms I saw a teammate of mine from Team Mizuno Texas - Jose Munoz! I asked him he what are you doing here? He said umm I'm running the Marathon! I'm like ugh Joe there is no one here! (Jose won the San Antonio Marathon in Nov with a time of 2:28??) At this point I said oh' well I guess I'm shooting for second! No doubt about that because Jose decided to *cough* *cough* jog the race! lol So he says! Anyways Joe ran a 2:28:?? and dusted me from the get go! Anyways here are my splits from the marathon

5:57

5:53

6:03 Asked a cop if I was going the right way! He said I don't know! I'm like fudge I can't see either! I kept going

5:57

5:59

5:59

6:05

6:13 Asked volunteers how many marathoners were ahead? They said 10? smh! I was like those are relay teams :/

6:00

5:57

5:56

6:02

6:06

6:07

6:14 grabbed my own water from the table, I told one of the volunteers you all got the easy job but what about handling the waters to us!! haha

6:10

6:17 Asked a volunteer if it was December- He replied Yes! I said it f%#$% feels like summer!

6:17

6:42 Decided to stop drink some water and take a GU given to me.

6:09

6:06

6:14 Asked a volunteer Must be nice to be on facebook! I yelled add me Benny Rodriguez! lol

6:26

6:23

6:32

6:24

.2 ?? Crossed the finished line and Jose walked up to me! He goes something like this! Hey Benny good job and said sorry bro I wasn't going to run the marathon! I'm like it's ok man! It's a race no need to worry! He was excited as hell! The coolest thing about him winning the race was the 75.00 purse he got! ha!

Total time: 2:41:57

Time to rest and heal from SURGERY!

Wake up and smell the coffee!

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 Thursday 12/20/12

I went to San Antonio at around 5:00 am from Laredo, Texas and arrived at the surgery center at 7:30 am. My arrival time was supposed to be at 7:45 am at this time I was told it would 2-4 hrs until I had my surgery. I signed all my papers and paid 1300.00 because I had not met my deductible. I waited till 9:15 and that's when I was called by the nurse, I told the nurse I was going to take off my contact and she said ok as I got back all I remembered was being told that they were running late, anastasia guy told me I wasn't going to remember anything and that I was going to be in the twilight zone as they went on two other people and the doctor presented themselves to me. My surgeon was Dr. Charles Reiley an air force guy, let me tell you this surgeon was top of the line! I guess I fell asleep before they started working on me, I woke up 10 mins into the surgery as I felt a pinch and I got startled! When that happened I suddenly moved and the doctor just reminded me to stay calmed and collected. Next thing I remembered about the surgery was the doctor talking about meatloaf and that was about it.. Twenty minutes later they were done and I was out in the recovery room! I guess I was out of it! I did feel two pinches in the eye but that's it! The whole process was painless and the doctor was smooth during the operation. Kudos to the team that worked on me they were real good and very friendly !

First picture with the shield was on 12/20/12 as soon as I got out of the surgery center I went out to eat at red robin yum!

Second picture was on 12/21/12 I saw the doctor and he took off the shield and gauze he said my eye was in excellent shape! I left back to LAREDO and submitted all my paperwork to my job as I'm not allowed to go back to work I'll feb 18, 2013.

Third picture is from 12/22/12 you can see the stitches around the cornea.

Fourth picture 12/22/12 you can see the swelling on the eye lids

Today is 12/23/12 I've had swelling on my eye lids! My eye just shuts down during daylight and at night time it opens half way. No rejection episodes as of yet and I hope I can be in the clear of things as days go by! I'm happy with the procedure and I know what I'm up against!

I don't have any pain at the moment, I'm on vigamox 3x, durezol 3x and some tylenol! I'll see the doctor again in 2 1/2 weeks! Hopefully everything goes well!

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