HOUSTON – Monty Person was feeling good Tuesday, and was also feeling good the morning he was about to run the Houston half marathon in January.
"It was my 11th half marathon that I've run in the last six years," Person said.
He was prepared for the race, but not for what happened at Mile 13.
That's when his lights went out.
"Made the little curve and I could see the finish line and the next thing I remember, I was waking up at Hermann Memorial Hospital," Person said.
The moments between the heart attack and his recovery happened in a flash.
"Within, literally, I'd have to say two minutes, everything happened," said Elda Ramirez, a UT Health registered nurse stationed near the finish line.
Ramirez and fellow EMTs Friedah Talabi and Daniel Arizpe started CPR immediately. Firefighters were able to shock Monty's heart to get it moving and then an ambulance rushed him to the hospital.
The doctor was then able to put a stent in to keep his coronary arteries open.
"We found out he lived and we were like, 'Oh my gosh, we did it, it was beautiful,'" Ramirez said.
It was a beautiful reunion between the survivor and the strangers trained to save his life.
"I'm glad I was able to make it here to Houston to tell everyone thank you for all their dedication and hard work," Person said.
Person said he's already started running again by starting with short distances. He said he feels good and is considering another run next year.