12/23/12 to 12/29/12

12/23/12 OFF nothing
12/24/12 OFF eye still swollen seems like the eyelids are going back to normal
12/25/12 OFF Merry XMAS no activity just watching border wars
12/26/12 OFF Sitting around doing no activity looks like my eye is getting better no swelling whats so ever and no redness
12/27/12 OFF It's a week from surgery still just sitting around.
12/28/12 Finally went out for a stroll I did 4 miles walking at 13 min pace! Eye was bugging irritated and headache around the temples.
12/29/12 Sitting around probably watch UFC today my eye is good no swelling, no redness and vision is a bit better.

Before and after surgery

This is the scar I had - central cornea scar

Post Operation - Cornea Transplant

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!

Fiesta Marathon 12/16/12

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!

Dec 9 - 15 - Dec 16 - 22

Sunday: 10

Monday: 6

Tuesday: 7

Wednesday: 5

Thursday: 5

Friday: 5

Saturday: 0

Sunday:  Fiesta Marathon 2:41:52
Monday off
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: off
Thursday: off
Friday: off
Saturday: off

Chicago Marathon 2006 - 3rd Marathon Race Report

10/22/2006 12:00:00 AM
Competition:	La Salle Chicago Marathon(Road Race)
Event:	Marathon  @ 2:31:23.00 (5:46 / mi)   Place: 147
Warmup/Cooldown:	0 mi
Temperature:	31°F to 40°F
Wind:	Strong Wind
Conditions:	Light Rain
Intensity:	Hard
Overall Feeling:	Good
Comments:	Went out too aggressive and paid for it, I went out in 1:12 and change at the half.. and paid for it the second half... ill tell you one thing, im ready to pop this sub 2:30 just gotta run smarter the next marathon... Next stop: Houston Half Marathon in Jan 14, sub 1:10!!! excerpt from laredo morning times: among the 34,698 runners that completed the Chicago Marathon in near-freezing temperatures on Sunday.He finished in 2 hours, 31 minutes, 23 seconds – good enough for 147th place. Rodriguez, 30, beat his previous best time by 29 seconds and had a pace of 5:46 per mile. “I wanted to experience a big marathon and I did. And I loved it,” he said via telephone. Rodriguez, who said he trains specifically for marathons, plans on running competitively for the next 6 or 7 years. He hopes he can build on his Chicago Marathon success. “This ranks as one of biggest races I’ve ever ran in my entire life,” he said. “It was a great experience.” It was Rodriguez’ third marathon, and he has sliced considerable time off each run. In his first marathon, he finished in 2:39. In his second, he improved his time by nearly eight minutes (2:31:52). His goal was to break 2:30, a time that, he said, was within reach for the first 22 miles. “I completely fell apart at mile 23,” he said. I just broke down the last three minutes.” Robert Cheruiyot (2:07:35) won the race, earning him $125,000. He also won the Boston Marathon earlier this year. The temperature hovered around 40 degrees for much of the run, but Rodriguez said it didn’t impact his time. “It was freezing, though,” he said. “As soon as we were finished, we went back to the hotel to warm up.” Rodriguez, the head cross-country coach at Texas A&M International University

2006 Freescale Marathon Report - 2nd Marathon

02/19/2006 12:00:00 AM
Competition:	Freescale Marathon(Road Race)
Event:	Marathon  @ 2:32:32.00 (5:49 / mi)   Place: 37
Warmup/Cooldown:	0 mi
Temperature:	21°F to 30°F
Wind:	Significant Wind
Conditions:	Light Rain
Intensity:	Hard
Overall Feeling:	Good
Comments:	1ST Mile: 5:53 Started out by myself looking around to find someone to work with. 2nd Mile: 5:43 Found a couple of guys here and got with them, two tall guys, I believe they were wearing red and a lot of them were saying go NEBRASKA. 3rd Mile: 5:36 a lot of downhill’s in this section, the pace was pretty consistent. 4th Mile: 5:39 Group of 7 marathoners and 1 half marathoner I believe it was Shannon Stenger John Howell Rob Semelroth Russell Boore Andy Bishop Dave Halferty Paul Pugh 5th Mile: 5:30 The group didn't want to roll this fast so they wanted to get back on pace. Every one of us took share of the pace. 6th Mile: 5:42 Guys trying to slow it down to keep it even. 7th Mile: 5:48 The guys in the group were just saying alright this evens and pans out with the rest of the splits. 8th Mile: 5:37 We are back on pace 9th Mile: 5:38 The group was still together, one of the runners separated here I believe it was Shannon Stenger from Nebraska took off on his own, he ended up running a 2:29 and change. 10 Mile: 5:40 We are all holding on strong the rest of the group. 11 Mile: 5:37 One of the guys in the group said to me let him go, he is a half marathoner, I wanted to go with that guy that separated from the group, but I was told he was a half marathoner so I didn't go. I concluded that it was shannon stenger that took off, right after a water stop. 12 Mile: 5:38 Group in tact. 13 Mile: 6:06 I believe this was one of the hardest miles at the beginning. Group still together and working it up. 14 Mile: 5:43 I and another guy, I don't recall his name nor his bib # but we decided to get back on pace, because the 6:06 was gruesome. 15 Mile: 5:41 Got back on pace, one of the guys told me to hold on, and to back off the pace, I decided not to listen and made a split as the pack of seven had now died to 2, I believe it was Russell Boore. 16 Mile: 5:41 I think it was Russell, I'm not too sure but we decided to stick together and work with each other. 17 Mile: 5:46 both of our hamstrings were feeling the pounding we were taking we both were still working together. 18 Mile: 5:43 Still working with each other at mile 18. 19 Mile: 5:42 Feeling good except for the hamstrings I was starting to hate the downhill at this time. 20th Mile: 5:39 We slowed but not by much, Russell and I still running together through it. 21st Mile: 5:50 Russell decided to pass me up as I was hurting and lost focus here. He passed me up and started rolling by himself, it happen at a slight uphill, I gave up for 200 meters and then I decided to go with him, I caught him up and passed him strong and made my moved to go at a different pace to the finish. WRONG MISTAKE!!!! 22nd Mile: 5:52 I went off by myself just trying to get back to pace. 23rd Mile: 5:53 I was left alone, I made a big mistake for me and for that guy, we could have both benefited the last 10k. 24th Mile: 6:33 By myself and struggling these up and down streets, I saw the leaders I was in mile 23 and they were in mile 25 it was disappointing to see that, because I lost focus my thoughts were not as good, THE OUT AND BACK STUFF in this marathon really sucked. I did not like it one bit, but hey that’s why we run them. 25th Mile: 5:58 After crawling out of my hole, I saw a glimpse of hope and speed back to me, YES IT WAS DOWNHILL AGAIN! 26th Mile: 6:31 And back again to my sloppiness the last mile. In this mile Rob Semelroth passed me up. .2 1:18 I went back to 5:45 pace here and finished off my marathon, Overall excellent race SUB 2:30 is within reach, got to go back and readjust my training. 2:32:32 Short of my goal. *** Long Runs *** Uptempo runs of 7 to 15 miles at close to marathon pace.

Austin 2005 Full Race Report - First Marathon

My full race report! 

Running 6 weeks after the doctor diagnose me with posterior tibial tendonitis, My foot was not ok but still did it! Cause I had put more than 2600 mile for the freescale. My training was trashed the last 6 weeks but the training before the marathon pulled me through.


Here it goes.

* Woken up at 2:30 a.m. by Mark and his doings.

* Stayed asleep to 4:15 a.m.

* Got up 4:30 a.m. ate a Power Bar and a 20oz of Ozarka water.

* 5:15 a.m. Mark writes with a sharpie 1st TIME Marathon on my back.

* 5:30 a.m. Out to the starting line, it looks empty as it was drizzling out there, we get there and I went directly to the port of potties to make my last deposit, when we go back to check the starting line it begins to pour rain, we all ducked into a mini tower that was holding a speaker and wait for the rain to subside.


* 6:15 a.m. I decide to run to the car because my shoes were getting all wet so I make a run for it, Jimmy, Mark and Amador follow, and thats where Jimmy hit the fire hydrant. We get into the car I take of my shoes and turn on the heater to dry up my shoes and wait for the rain to stop. 

* 6:45 a.m. Went directly to some trees and did a pee stop, there were tonz of guys and girls doing there thing there also.

* 6:50 a.m. I am at the starting line waiting for the start of my first actual race for 26.2

* 6:55 a.m. Governor Perry addresses the would be marathoners.

* 7:00 a.m. The horn is off and the beginning of my first marathon.


Mile Marker 1 - I missed the mile marker and didn't see the time I had clocked in, so I just stick in there looking around and lost in my only little world as to what the hell am I doing here.

Mile Marker 2 - I clicked my watch at 11:19 at this time I knew I was going far faster than 6:00 pace so I decided to ask the people around me what were their goals some replied 2:28 others 2:30 and I was a little bit confused but since I felt ok, I decided to stick with that group as the russian female was right behind us.

Mile Marker 3 - No splits never saw the marker.

5k - 17:46 - Didn't know what to do since I was feeling too good to be true so I just went on and stayed with them.

Mile Marker 4 - I was at 22:45 with no actual split cause I had clicked on the 5k split and then click the 4 mile split so I was lost in what I was doing nontheless sticked in there with the group.

Mile Marker 5 - I hit a 5:43 split, this was accurate since I hit the 4 mile split and then the 5th mile split, some guys were talking come on lets go, lets go for sub 2:30 and work together.

Mile Marker 6 & 10k split - 6:52 and a 10k time of 35:21 and was rank 33 at that time.

Mile Marker 7 - Missed the split cause I clicked on the 10k split and then the 7th mile split.

Mile Marker 8 - 5:38 it was going by smoothly on this part everything was feeling fine, the humidity wasn't doing anything, I was drinking water at all water stations.

Mile Marker 9 - 5:45 I messed up here caused as I was trying to remove water or sweat from my nose I accidentally poked my nose as I was running and I cut a vein on my nose. I was bleeding big time, my hand was full of blood and as I approached the next water station I rinsed my face, and nose and drank water, I could definetly taste the blood the next 8 to 9 miles. I was getting nervous after this incident because I thought I would collapse because of the blood lost I was losing. I was becoming worried and worried the next couple of miles. I would wipe my nose, blood would come out, I would spit out, blood would come out. I was in trouble here, I thought about quitting here in mile marker 9, 10, and 11 because of all the blood that I was losing on the run.

Mile Marker 10 I hit a split of 5:46 I was complete dazed in this mile marker. I was wondering what to do since I was losing blood through my nose and spitting out blood.

Mile Marker 11 I got too anxious here and decided to separate from that so called 2:30 pace group and made a 5:32 mile surge and continued from there made about a block lead and the russian girl followed me she was on my tail.

Mile Marker 12 Went back to 5:41 pace and kept it there for the next four miles.

Mile Marker 13 and half marathon : 5:42 pace Ranked 26th placed, and hit a time of 1:14:23

Mile Marker 14 5:28 mile split, all down hill, me and the russian female were working from mile marker 10 to 16

Mile Marker 15 5:36

Mile Marker 16 5:52

Mile Marker 17 5:52 - I was about 10 seconds off from the russian lady and slowly losing ground and was stuck in no mans land for the next three miles. I hit 1:37:05 for 17 miles and was ranked at that time 25 place.

Mile Marker 18 5:52 I was losing ground here as I was by myself now and the russian girl was leaving me farther and farther behind

Mile Marker 19 No splits I think this is were I lost my wheels I was out of the zone and my foot was starting to hurt more than ever.

Mile Marker 20 6:09 At this mile split my wheels were falling off, and I thought I would be able to hold it, but I started to think too soon about the finish line, and I started to think about the next approaching mile marker I was just thinking of getting there in 36 mins I was way under 2:30 min for the marathon at 20 miles I was at 1:56 and and I needed a 34 min 10k lol! <- Like that was going to happen

Mile Marker 21 6:15 - Wheels off and pain got worst 1 runner past me here.

Mile Marker 22 6:34 Wheels losing it and it's freaking painful. I get a g.u. choclate from a guy sitting on a chair and told me here take it, wake up! You need to wake up your wondering around too much. What a nice guy eventhough the dam gu choclate tasted like sh*t, so I drank more water on the next water stations.

Mile Marker 23 6:51 Wheels completely off 2 runners past me here and the 2nd place women was hauling in these miles man she looked strong right here I was just thinking get me out of here! I WANT THE FINISH LINE

Mile Marker 24 7:28 My legs were burned and I COULDn't take any more steps on it my foot was real inflamed, because of the posterior tibial tendonitis I got 5 weeks ago and I COULDNT Bounce off of it anymore.

Mile Marker 25 7:53 I saw 2 kenyans walking or trotting looking for answers and I go to them lets go lets finish as I trotted to the finish line myself.... I felt like them I wanted to walk, but I didn't want to walk, I did not come this far to just walk the race. I thought about walking the last 3 miles but never stopped to do it.
Another runner breezes by I think thats 4 already passed me in the last 4 miles.

Mile Marker 26 and .2 9:44 I got passed in the end by another sailing runner, and he told me come on lets go the finish is near.

* I walked to the finished line very slowly, it felt like I was sitting on a horse for such a long time. My foot was hurting and had swollen up big time those last 6 miles. The humidity got me, eventhough I was drinking at each water station.


* Marked helped me walk through the chute, thanks mark.

* This raced brought a couple of tears, and it was because of joy and pain.

* I would do it again, but once I am back on my feet 110% percent! 


* That was my race report! Guys respect the MARATHON, if you don't those last 6 miles will seem like eternity.


* THANKS JIMMY, AUGI, MARK, FERNANDO, FOR THE SUPPORT DURING THE RUN AND OFF THE RUN, YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME. JIMMY YOUR ALWAYS LIKE A BROTHER, AND YOUR ALWAYS THERE FOR US, AND I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART CABRON! AUGI THANKS FOR THE SPONSORSHIP YOU ARE TRULY AND AWESOME PERSON AND THANKS FOR HELPING ME OUT WHEN I NEEDED GUIDANCE WITH MY INJURY. MARK THANKS FOR BEING THERE FOR THE MY FIRST MARATHON AND THANKS FOR WRITING THE THINGS ON MY BACK YOU FAG! TO MARY GRACE RAMIREZ AND QUALITY MOTORS THANK YOU! YOU ALL ARE A BLESSING IN THE SKIES.

TO ALL THE LAREDO RUNNERS THAT CALLED ME AND GAVE ME A CONGRATS ! THANK YOU IT FELT SO MUCH WARMER KNOWING THERE WAS SUPPORT! 

TO ANA FROM AUSTIN AND LIZA GALVAN FROM SAN ANTONIO THANKS FOR THE CHEERS!

TILL NEXT MARATHON THIS IS MY REPORT!

THANKS AUSTIN FOR PUTTING OUT A GREAT RACE!

*** TIME TO REST FOR 6 SIX WEEKS AND SEE THE DOCTOR on Thursday. Chicago I hope to see you in 8 mths

Mileage 2004-2005-2006

Jun 6, 2004 Weekly Miles 34 
Jun 13, 2004 34 
Jun 20, 2004 45 
Jun 27, 2004 51 
Jul 4, 2004 60 
Jul 11, 2004 65 
Jul 18, 2004 75 
Jul 25, 2004 75 
Aug 1, 2004 80 
Aug 8, 2004 70 
Aug 15, 2004 88 
Aug 22, 2004 98 
Aug 29, 2004 Recovery Week 71 
Sep 5, 2004 68 
Sep 12, 2004 67 
Sep 19, 2004 83 
Sep 26, 2004 74 
Oct 3, 2004 79 
Oct 10, 2004 82 
Oct 17, 2004 84 
Oct 24, 2004 82 
Oct 31, 2004 Recovery Week 72 
Nov 7, 2004 90 
Nov 14, 2004 102 
Nov 21, 2004 91 
Nov 28, 2004 89 

Dec 5

Dec Hurt tendinitis
Jan Hurt Tendinitis
Feb 2005 Austin Marathon

Feb 27, 2005 23 
Mar 6, 2005 33 
Mar 13, 2005 40 
Mar 20, 2005 50 
Mar 27, 2005 33.10 
Apr 3, 2005 58 
Apr 10, 2005 53 
Apr 17, 2005 56 
Apr 24, 2005 55 
May 1, 2005 70 
May 8, 2005 64 
May 15, 2005 62 
May 22, 2005 71 
May 29, 2005 69 
Jun 5, 2005 70 
Jun 12, 2005 65 
Jun 19, 2005 73 
Jun 26, 2005 85 
Jul 3, 2005 32 
Jul 10, 2005 62 
Jul 17, 2005 63 
Jul 24, 2005 70.10 
Jul 31, 2005 57 
Aug 7, 2005 66 
Aug 14, 2005 53 
Aug 21, 2005 65 
Aug 28, 2005 68.10 
Sep 4, 2005 59 
Sep 11, 2005 62.10 
Sep 18, 2005 61 
Sep 25, 2005 57.30 
Oct 2, 2005 65 
Oct 9, 2005 70 
Oct 16, 2005 57 
Oct 23, 2005 59 
Oct 30, 2005 65 
Nov 6, 2005 67 
Nov 13, 2005 80 
Nov 20, 2005 77 
Nov 27, 2005 84 
Dec 4, 2005 72 
Dec 11, 2005 100 
Dec 18, 2005 93 
Dec 25, 2005 100
Jan 1, 2005 107
Jan 8, 2006 120 6 more weeks these are my mileage for them!
Jan 15, 2006 110
Jan 22, 2006 105
Jan 29, 2006 75
Feb 5, 2006 54
Feb 12,2006 36 Marathon week in Austin, I'm hoping for a better result

Austin Freescale Marathon here I come! Again!

I'm not injured this time

2 Marathons

Feb 2005 - 2:39:17 avg 60 to 70 mpw

Feb 2006 - 2:32:32 avg 75 to 85 mpw



Oct 2, 2005 65
Oct 9, 2005 70
Oct 16, 2005 57
Oct 23, 2005 59
Oct 30, 2005 65
Nov 6, 2005 67
Nov 13, 2005 80
Nov 20, 2005 77
Nov 27, 2005 84
Dec 4, 2005 72
Dec 11, 2005 100
Dec 18, 2005 100
Dec 25, 2005 93
Jan 1, 2006 107
Jan 8, 2006 78
Jan 15, 2006 61 Itb Injury
Jan 22, 2006 90 10k 31:23 sunday and 5k 15:29 on a sat
Jan 29, 2006 83 10k 32:09 on a saturday
Feb 5, 2006 67
Feb 12, 2006 40
Feb 19, 2006 46 Marathon 2:32:32
Feb 26, 2006 47 Going for Grandmas's Marathon
March 5, 2006 70
March 12, 2006 60
March 19, 2006 56
March 26, 2006 73
April 2, 2006 90


.

12/2/12 to 12/8/12

Sunday: 13@6:52 in 85 degree weather
Monday: 11
Tuesday: 10
Wednesday: 11
Thursday: 6
Friday: 9
Sat: 8