The Cowtown brings thousands of runners and spectators to Fort Worth each year to watch the largest multiple-race event in North Texas. One of the runners started setting his sights on marathons after a life-changing event.
"I actually had a heart attack while running one morning," Dean Threadgill said.
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WATCH HEREThreadgill, who used to live in Irving, now lives in Lubbock. He was on one of his regular neighborhood runs three years ago when he started feeling unwell.
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SIGN UP "I was short of breath. I was sweating way more than normal," Threadgill explained. "I had a pain right here in my jaw, and then I had some numbness and tingling on my left arm, and I thought there's no way in the world I'm having a heart attack. I'm 42-years-old. This doesn't happen to me!"
Threadgill ended that run by calling 911 and being taken to the hospital by ambulance.
'In full disclosure, I had probably not been to a doctor in 10 or 15 years other than I have the flu, I need something," Threadgill said. "The denial was strong with me."
Treadgill said his cholesterol was normal, and other than carrying around a few extra pounds, he was in good health when he had the heart attack. He started running marathons after he recovered.
"I got excited when I could run for 100 yards after my heart attack, and then I was able to run a mile," Threadgill said. "Then, a little less than a year after the heart attack, I did my first half-marathon, and that was a big accomplishment. Felt good about that."
The Cowtown will be Threadgill's fourth marathon.
"Looking forward to it, along with 40,000 of my closest friends, to go out and have a great weekend and have a lot of fun," Threadgill said. "I guess the ultimate measure of success is finishing the race!"
NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 are proud sponsors of The Cowtown, which includes a 5k, 10k, half-marathon, marathon, and and ultra-marathon. The Health and Fitness Expo is free. For more information, click here.
