Jay Dyer runs marathons after a heart attack
Dyer has 7 stents in his heart
Jay Dyer runs marathons after a heart attack
Dyer has 7 stents in his heart
KENNESAW, GA -- Jay Dyer has run the Peachtree, four half marathons, nine 10Ks and 25 5K races.
"There are things that I can do now, that I haven't been able to do for a long time," Dyer said.
Did we mention that he's 56-years-old, and a survivor?
He's got legs of steel, but a heart of stents.
"Four stents in the bottom right ventricle," Dyer said. "And three stents on one side"
He always considered himself active, golfing and landscaping in his free time. But, that wasn't enough. Two years ago he had a heart attack.
"They said the heart attack that I went through was called the widowmaker," he added.
It was the thought of losing his family that made him change his life.
Today, he weighs 172 pounds -- 60 pounds lighter than before.
It's a weight he hasn't been at since he was 19 years old!
"I do not smoke anymore; I do not drink any alcohol anymore," Dyer said. "I do not eat any beef, pork, potato chips, fast food."
The only thing smokin' now is the track.
Jay bikes, runs or walks 100 miles a week...logging each journey.
Since his heart attack two years ago, he's reached more than 11,000 miles.
It's that dedication that's earned him tons of medals and the Active Lifestyle Award from First Lady Michelle Obama.
Now, each finish line is a new reminder of just how blessed he is.
"I've been able to have a second chance," he said.