Iron Heart: The True Story of How I Came Back From the Dead (14 page)

October 2007—Just before the swim start at the Hawaii Ironman in Kona.

I had a good Ironman swim—one hour, 11 minutes for 2.4 miles.

Riding my Cannondale on the Queen K Highway—long, hot, desolate. A ride I will never forget.

Running through town during the early section of the marathon. That smile on my face doesn’t last long once I make it onto the Queen K.

The best day of my life—crossing the Hawaii Ironman finish line.

Ellen DeGeneres’s talk show lifted my spirits while I was hospitalized. Little did I know that one day I’d be a guest on her show.

Summer 2008—Riding my new Cannondale Slice at the Newfoundland 70.3 half-Ironman. The tricked-out bike was given to me for receiving the Cannondale Determination Award in 2007.

A happy family again, three days after returning home from the Hawaii Ironman in October 2007. Not sure where the journey will take us, but we are grateful for having come this far.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Boyle,

I am so sorry to hear about Brian’s car accident. He is such a wonderful young man and I know how proud you are of him. We at McDonough High School are all hoping and praying that he will have a full recovery. Many of us have been reading the website so we can keep updated on Brian. I will keep him in my daily thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if we can be of any help.

From my Uncle Joey, Aunt Donna, and younger cousin Garrett on September 1, 2004:

Brian,

We love you! Glad you’re feeling better—can’t wait until you come home. With your positive attitude all things are possible.

From one of my very good childhood friends, Molly Simpson, on September 4, 2004:

Brian,

I’m so glad to keep hearing how great you are doing! It amazes me to read your progress from day to day. I’m leaving tomorrow for college, but I will keep in touch and come see you when you are ready to have visitors. Keep it up!

From my Aunt Lisa, Uncle Chip, and cousins Ethan, Wyatt, and Sydney on August 26, 2004:

Brian,

Your mom and dad have been updating us on your progress every day and we are so glad to hear how well you are doing. Uncle Chip can’t wait to take you to meet Godsmack in October. We are so excited for you to finally go home. We love you and keep you in our prayers everyday.

From one of my good friends, Rachel Gearhart, on August 28, 2004:

Just want you to know that I think you’re pretty wonderful! I’m so glad you’re feeling better! I love you, sweetie!

From my biggest rival on the high school swim team and good friend, Josh Turner, on September 10, 2004:

Brian,

Man, sorry to hear the bad news. But I read that you’re making progress. I expect you to compete against me again some day and you’re only going to be better from all of this, so I’ll bring my best. I’m going to come see you before I’m off to school and that’s a promise, bro. Hang in there, dude. I’ll see you soon. All my prayers.

From my high school art teacher, Mrs. Eicholtz, on September 5, 2004:

Brian,

I’m so glad to hear that you’re doing so well! All the teachers at McDonough have been praying for you. As you recoup, your love for art will be a nice outlet for you. The skills you learned in high school will help you to create; I really think you are the one student who enjoyed and explored the most in your advanced level art class this year. And, congrats on being the highest scorer on the art portfolio; zoning in on your concentration early in the year was what really made your portfolio so great! As you heal and feel up to it, let me know if I can get you any art supplies or anything. My prayers are with you always.

From my really great friend and fellow swimmer, Sam Fleming, on September 7, 2004:

Brian,

Dude, You are the most inspirational person I’ve ever met. Keep staying strong, bud! Whenever you’re ready to swim just give me a call and I’ll be there. And anytime you want to hang or workout, I’ll be there. Take care, bud!”

From the Omaha, Nebraska, rock group 311, on August 28, 2004:

Being positive is real easy when things are going great, but it’s the real test when the fit hits the shan. Life is a gift, and to be here enjoying it is the meaning of life. We are here and we don’t know why; so, learn as much as you can, treat people right, and enjoy this precious gift. We are all family. No one is just a fan to us; we know that everyone is divine. The new album is going to be right up your alley, with contemplative leanings on the dark side, lyrically (dealing with breakups and bad attitudes), and of course a good mixture of hard jams and mellow reggae grooves, with some experimental rock in there for good measure.

From U.S. Olympic Swimmer, Gary Hall Jr., on September 10, 2004:

A hello and welcome back from one swimmer to another. I had a chance to read up on the terrible accident on your family’s website. As sorry as I was to hear about your misfortune, I am just as, if not more, relieved to hear that things are returning back to normal and that you, through unimaginable determination, are picking up the pieces. For this I offer my most sincere congratulations. You have my respect and admiration. I was very impressed with your enthusiasm for life. Obviously, it has assisted you back to health. Your grades, your swimming, your writing portray a tremendous human being, one of the good ones. This is perhaps what makes your accident such a tragedy. The world needs people like you. We can’t afford to lose you. Particularly moving was the Charles Dickens quote on your website: “Ride on! Rough shod if need be. Smooth shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over all obstacles and win the race!” Welcome back. I look forward to one day meeting you; maybe we’ll go for a swim. Ride on.