I did it! AngelRIDE 2014
I visualised what it would feel like to be able to write this post when I was struggling up hills and trying to learn how to use the gears on my bike only last week. As I sit down to write this I still can’t believe I’ve just ridden 140 miles in 2 days. A few years ago I couldn’t even walk down the road.
I have so much I want to tell you all about the ride, the riders, the camp, the inspiring people I met and the fact that myself, my mum and my big bro were welcomed into a wonderful community with arms wide open. I may have to do this over a series posts though as I’m so tired right now and am struggling to think.
This has been the most difficult physical challenge I have ever achieved.
DAY 1 – 86 Miles
The first day was absolutely unbelievable. 86 miles of hills and endless roads. The final 5 miles seemed to go on forever but fortunately I couldn’t actually feel my legs by the then so I just kept turning the pedals. I was out on the road for a total of 10 hours and 30 minutes in total. Yikes!
I made one rule for myself during this ride and that was to ride the entire way and I achieved it. I didn’t walk up any of the hills, I may have stopped for a couple of minutes on some of them but I always got back on my bike and started peddling again.
My brother was the energy that I needed. He told me when to eat, when to drink and told me the whole way how proud he was of me. He kept me motivated and every time he saw my face drop looking at yet another steep hill and would tell me he believed in me and that I could do it.
I was the last person to finish. The organiser Lynn had told the motor support crew about me and the fact I wanted to finish no matter what. I knew I could do it but I also knew it would take me a wee bit longer than everyone else (for health and safety reasons there is usually a set time that riders are taken off the road). The head of the motor crew, a wonderful guy called Dan asked the other guys if some of them wouldn’t mind staying out longer to make sure I finished ok. Dan nipped off to get petrol and when he came back he found every single one of the others riding along side me. Around 20 motor cycles and support vehicles all beeping their horns and flashing their lights. I felt like the president.
I was greeted at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp on day one by 300 wonderful cheering people who welcomed me, my brother and a wonderful support rider called James over the line. Exhausted, overwhelmed and with my mum their to greet me I broke down crying in what was without doubt the most memorable day of my life. I was so happy.
DAY 2 – 54 Miles
With my legs still shaking from the day before I set off on Sunday to ride the remaining 54 miles. I was accompanied once agin by big brother, Barry and the wonderful guy called Andy who is the one who first emailed me to ask if I would consider riding in this wonderful event. Day 2 was a killer as my legs had gone but Barry and Andy kept me going and got me through to the finish.
There were three things that I thought about to keep me going when I was riding:-
- The kids that this money we have raised will help.
- Showing you guys that anything is possible after cancer, operations and blood clots.
- Giving myself another reason to believe that cancer is no longer inside of me.
This experience has been the highlight of my trip so far. I feel immensely proud of myself that I completed the ride, I can’t even describe how hard I found it but I kept going and imagining what it will feel like to finish. I feel so honoured to have been in the company of the wonderful people that take part in Angelride and all those that make it happen.
As for the Hole in Wall Gang Camp, I’ll save that for another post but let me just say that this place changes the lives of seriously ill children for the better. It is a truly magical place.
Believe in getting better.
X
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has sponsored me. $3570 raised so far. You’ll be getting an email from me soon with a big fat Thank you and loads of kisses. I promise you that your money has gone towards the most wonderful cause. In July I’m going to show you first hand where your money has gone when I volunteer at the camp.
If you would still like to sponsor me then please see the link below:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
X
Adapt and overcome
The photo on the left was the picture that was used by a lot of the newspapers when they reported my story last year. This picture always makes me smile now because there was talk on the internet of me being a fraud. Some people said I was an actor or a model because they’d ‘never seen a cancer victim with a 6 pack before’ I was actually quite flattered by being compared to a model. Little did they know that my six pack was actually a scar down the middle of my stomach. From a distance though maybe I could be an extra in the film 300! 🙂
The other side of my body is a different story. Some of you might wonder why I find all these treks and climbs so difficult. One of the main reasons is that my inferior vena cava (IVC) is blocked because of a blood clot. The IVC is the main vein that carries blood back to my heart from my lower body. I have to take blood thinning medication (warfarin) for the rest if my life. I’ve had this clot for 13 years now and it will never go. As a result it makes any type of physical exertion quite difficult but other than that I’ve never had a problem with it.
As you can see in the other picture these ‘funny’ looking veins on my left side are what now take blood back to my heart. My body did this all by itself. I’ve had no operations for this. My body needed another way to get the blood back to my heart so it used a different route and as a result it enlarged other veins to be able to the job. I struggle to any type of exertion as it takes blood longer to get back to my heart but I always get there in the end.
I must confess I thought twice about posting this picture. I know it’s not particularly nice to look at and I went through most of my twenties disliking my body as I thought it looked ugly but then I realised that’s it’s actually pretty amazing and after all…it’s helping keep me alive.
A principle I like to live by is ‘adapt and overcome’. My body is the epitome of this principle. It’s adapted to everything that it’s been through, from the loss of my right kidney to the removal of part of my bowel. It adapted and overcame these changes.
These veins are no longer ugly or unattractive to me, they are amazing and it’s an example of something that’s had to adapt to a new situation in order to overcome it. From seeing what my body has done I now try to do this at every challenge I encounter. Adapt to the situation and then overcome it.
On Saturday I am GOING to ride a bike for 85 miles and on Sunday I’ll ride another 50 miles, I’ve climbed volcanoes and I’ve lugged a heavy bag around the Americas for the past 11 months. The best thing of all though is that I can get out of bed in the morning and go for walk.
The reason I’m posting this is because I just had to fill out another medical form in order to complete my application to volunteer at the hole in the wall gang camp. I sound like a complete nightmare on paper but really I’m just like everyone else.
I want others to know that my body has been through some pretty extraordinary changes in its lifetime and if you are going through these changes as well then I want you to know…you’re going to be ok!
If you aren’t going through these things personally then maybe when you meet someone who has a blood clot or is about to get their kidney removed I hope after reading this you’ll be able to tell them…’I know someone else who’s been through that and he’s doing just fine.
X
Thank you to all those who have sponsored me for what is without doubt the most physically challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life. When I hit those hills I will be thinking of all of you and and I will be thinking of all the ill children that the money you have donated will help. $2800 raised in two weeks. You are all wonderful. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart.
X
Sponsorship link
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
Two bits of amazing news
Amazing News 1
As much as I’m looking forward to the ride on Saturday I’ve also been dreading it. 140 miles in two days on one weeks training! The last weeks training has been hard work and a complete shock to my system as I’ve never really done any long distance bike riding before.
But I now have the best source of energy ever… My mum and big brother are coming over to support me on the ride. My mum is going to volunteer and my brother is going to ride next to me.
I can’t even begin to describe how excited I am. I haven’t seen them in over 11 months and have missed them like crazy. I only wish my dad could make it over as well.
My brother and I have never done anything like this together before. He has always been the one undertaking these kind of crazy challenges with me usually looking at him in awe. It will be an amazing experience to have him ride next to me and I know he will help me achieve what is without doubt my biggest challenge yet.
Amazing News 2
I am going to volunteer at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in July. I am so honoured to be able to do this as this is the type of healing that I believe to be the most effective, having fun and experiencing joy!
Every person I have spoken to here in the states has raved about this camp and the great things it does for seriously ill children.
A little bit about The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
The camp’s founder, actor Paul Newman wanted a place that ensured that every child with a serious medical condition had the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer. Kids who are normally unable to swim because of their condition can swim, kids that feel isolated because of their condition get to be around others who are going through the same thing.
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp community provides this unique healing experience to kids in need and their families, including those who may not be able to come to Camp.
There are now Hole in Wall Gang Camps all over the world. With unobtrusive expert medical care, it was Paul’s dream that Camp would provide seriously ill children with a fun-filled experience defined by compassion, laughter and acceptance.
The best thing is… it works! Parents see a marked change in their child when they go home from camp, healing white blood cells increase ten fold and the best thing of all…a child who is seriously ill is taken out of their worry filled life and gets to experience pure joy for a week.
An amazing place and I’m honoured to be part of it.
I would be so grateful if you could help me raise money for this wonderful cause and sponsor me for the ride. Please see link below:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
Thank you all so much
X
Training update and the dreaded Ivan Dragos (Hills)
I’ve now been here in Connecticut for one week which means I’ve had a total of one weeks training before the big ride next weekend. I don’t regret a single thing about coming here and signing up for this charity bike ride at such short notice but I’m now wishing I had more time to train.
I’ve never done anything like this before and believe me I am exhausted. I’ve been riding an average of 20 miles a day which is a good way short of the 80 miles that is needed to complete the first day of Angelride. I have an even greater respect for the guys that complete the Tour de France now.
Today I finally mastered the gears on my bike and learned how to unclip from my pedals after learning the hard way from two minor wipeouts!
A few people here have been telling me how hard this ride actually is and that I shouldn’t expect to finish on my first attempt… which makes me want to finish it even more! 🙂 I’m not going to lie, yesterday’s hills were a killer and my legs are struggling to get going but I really want to finish this one. I keep thinking back to 3 years ago when I could barely walk down the road and now here I am about to ride 140 miles in 2 days!
The hills are going to be my biggest worry on the ride. I’ve named the hills ‘Ivan Dragos’ after Dolph Lungrens character in a Rocky IV! This has inspired me to make a Training Montage video which should be hilarious. Just think Rocky minus the big muscles! 🙂 I’ve attached a screenshot picture from my video which shows a drawing of me on a hill as a homage to Rocky. Rocky has a picture of Ivan Drago (his nemesis) on his mirror in the film to inspire him to train harder! Yes, I’m that sad!:) (Rocky wins in the end by the way so the picture thing worked)
A massive thank you to all those who have sponsored me so far. If you would like to sponsor me and help raise money for the Hole in Wall gang camp which is a camp for seriously ill children then please see the link below.
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
This camp let’s kids with serious illness be kids again and experience joy. Something I believe to be the best medicine of all. They also have a hospital outreach program which sends the fun to hospitals for kids that are too ill to attend camp.
Tests have shown that the children’s disease fighting white cells are much higher at the end of camp so if you are feeling a bit run down or ill get out there and have some fun or as Paul Newman said when he created the camp ‘raise hell’!:)
Training montage video coming soon!
X
Don’t waste a second
Today, teenager Stephen Sutton died after his fight with cancer.
For those of you who haven’t heard of Stephen, he was a 19 year old who was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer at the young age of 15. He went on create a bucket list of 46 things where one of them was to raise a million pounds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He ended up raising more than £3.5m!
Stephen used every last second of his young life to promote a message of positivity and to encourage others not to waste a second of their life. He inspired the world and showed others that a life isn’t judged by the number of years you live but what you do with the time you have been given.
Like many others I have also learned from my experiences with cancer that tomorrow is never guaranteed.
I remember saving my money and annual leave to visit New Zealand in 2010 but was then diagnosed with bowel cancer. I had wanted to visit New Zealand for so many years but kept on saying maybe next year…maybe next year. I won’t make that mistake again.
Since starting 101 Things I receive messages from many people who are ill with cancer. Recently two young children that followed me on Facebook have passed away. My good friend Alana (Seb’s mum) was in a terrible car accident recently which has rocked her family. She is slowly making a good recovery. The people I am staying with in Connecticut lost their son in a car accident very recently and have spoken with me about their loss and the sad fact that for many life can be very short. My heart breaks for these people and their families.
People say how lucky I am to be able to do this trip. Believe me I know how lucky I am but not for the reasons many people infer. Money has always been the big talking point of my trip. As you know, I received a bit of negativity to the fact I was able to afford to go on a trip around the world with people saying that I ‘had no idea what it was like for real families with cancer’. I was £2000 in debt when I decided to do this trip, single and on the verge of a breakdown.
I made this trip happen, I saved for this trip, I had amazing friends that fund raised for me and I approached the sponsors to ask if they wanted to be involved. I did this. The only reason I consider myself lucky is because I was given a third chance at life to be able to do this. I was given my health back and even that I fought hard for. My mind and worries tried to ruin me but I kept trying things to make it better.
Many people wait around for life to change for them and for happiness to come and find them. This tends to only happen in the movies.
Get out there and search for that happiness. It’s out there, it just needs to be found.
My reason for telling you this is that it took two bouts of cancer to help me realise that life doesn’t begin tomorrow and it certainly didn’t begin yesterday. Life is happening right now. Do the things that make you happy because what I’ve learned is that you can’t make others happy unless you are happy too. If you have your health then exploit it for all it’s worth. Get out there and meet the love of your life, see the things you want to see and live the life you dream of.
Stephen knew he was going to die and in the end he lived more than anyone I’ve ever heard of. He inspired the world with his positivity, he raised a lot of money for an amazing cause and he confirmed what I’ve only realised to be true over the last 3 and 1/2 years which is that life is short and this is our only shot at it so use every second for all it’s worth.
Lots of love and well wishes to Stephen’s family and a huge thank you to Stephen for being the inspirational person he was and for sharing his positivity and message with the world.
X
A very warm welcome to connecticut, my first training ride and a message from Bear Grylls
I arrived in Connecticut yesterday to an unbelievable welcome. I have to say I have never experienced anything like this before in my life. These kind people have built me a bike to use, donated equipment and a wonderful family have even given me their daughter’s beautiful apartment to use up until the big ride.
I still can’t quite believe it and find myself looking around to see who they have made all this fuss for. Such generous welcoming people and I am so honoured to be here and ride and raise money for this wonderful cause.
I went on my first training ride today on my new bike. I certainly looked the part in all my kit but was completely petrified of how tough I might find it. I went on two rides and managed around 20 miles in total. Add another 60 miles to that and I have the first day of Angelride sorted! Yikes! The good news is I only fell off my bike once! 🙂 oops!
To add to this amazing experience I woke up this morning to the most wonderful emails from two of my heroes, my childhood doctor Prof. Alan Craft and Bear Grylls. They had heard what I was doing and wanted to wish me luck for the ride.
Bear wrote –
“Well done Greig- an epic mission and for an amazing cause- you are a man who has battled to overcome great adversity and I am sure you will conquer this challenge too! You are an inspiration.”
I am feeling blessed and humbled at this very moment. I hope I don’t let anyone down and can complete what is my biggest challenge yet.
Whatever happens, I will never forget this experience and I’m so happy to be here and raise money which will help seriously ill children smile and feel better.
Thank you to all you amazing people that have already sponsored me. I am so grateful for your support. A massive thank you to Lynn, Andy, Fred, Chaleen and Brian for making me feel so welcome.
If you’d like to sponsor me please see the link below:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
X
Rio de Janeiro and Thing #24
I was lucky enough to spend my final 4 days in South America seeing the amazing Rio De Janeiro in Brazil.
From what I hear Rio has been in the news back home recently for all the wrong reasons. Even my mum emailed me and asked me not go there. That was the first time she had ever done that.
Obviously Rio has it’s issues but when I got there I was overwhelmed by how friendly people were. People went out of their way to help me. One guy even left his stall and walked right down the street to make sure I got to where I was going. I was greeted by smiles wherever I went and I never felt unsafe.
I took a tour around the biggest favela in Brazil and experienced nothing but happy friendly people. Zezinho, who runs the tour is a long term resident to Rocinha favela and has opened up his own DJ school to help kids in the community. The favela has restaurants, paved paths, electricity, shops and a sense of community that you don’t really experience anymore. The mail is delivered to a barber shop and left in a box outside and people check to see if they have anything when they pass. (See pics)
Rio was again a place I couldn’t believe I was in when I was there. It’s one of those magical places that you only get to see on TV so when I ticked off Thing #24 and stood at the feet of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue I couldn’t quite believe it. It was amazing and better than I ever imagined….even if he did steal my 101 pose!:)
I went up sugar loaf mountain, watched the sun set on Inpanema beach, met an amazing bunch of new pals and stayed in a hostel with a hammock and the best terrace view in rio…..not bad for £12 a night!:)
A wonderful way to end an amazing trip around South America and another example of how the news doesn’t quite show the world as it really is.
Definitely a place to add to your list!
Brazil, I wish I had more time to explore you but there’s a 140 mile bike ride with my name on it!
I’ll see you again one day!
X
Training for Angel ride begins in New York City
First stop though was to the Wall Street bull where apparently rubbing the bulls balls brings you luck! If I’m ever going to manage 140 miles in two days without much training I’m going to need all the luck in the world… so I grabbed them both! 🙂
Please please please sponsor me and help bring a bit of happiness and hope to seriously ill children:-
https://www.crowdrise.com/Greig-AngelRide2015/fundraiser/greigtrout
Thank you so much gang.
X
The sun sets on my South American journey
Today I fly to the Big Apple for some very last minute training before my big charity bike ride in a couple of weeks.
I’ve had the most wonderful time here. I’ve met some amazing people, ate some delicious food, ate some not so delicious food and I’ve had the chance to learn about many different cultures as well as learning a lot about myself.
I didn’t get the chance to visit Venezuela but I promise you I’ll be back soon. Angel Falls and the Lost World still sit high on my list of things to do.
I started my travels almost 11 months ago. I’ve visited 12 countries in Central and South America. I hope I’ve shown you not just how beautiful these countries are but just how safe they are as well. I’ve not had one problem since I started travelling. I’ve never felt threatened or unsafe and I’ve met nothing but wonderful people from all the countries I’ve visited and left each one with a full heart.
Turn off the news because the the world is filled with good, kind and generous people.
Muchas Gracias to all the countries I have visited. I’ve loved visiting every single one of you.
X
Thing #10 – Hear the water thunder down at Iguazu Falls
I first saw Iguazu Falls when reading my very first copy of National Geographic. I remember thinking how beautiful it was and was amazed that so many waterfalls could be seen in one place. It’s been on my wish list ever since and it was everything I hoped it would be.
Iguazu falls in one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. 247 separate waterfalls spanning the border of Argentina and Brazil and is considered to be the most beautiful set of waterfalls in the world.
Both Argentina and Brazil have made national parks on either side of the falls which means you can see the falls from every angle.
I spent the day on the Argentina side and then ran over to the Brazilian side the following day before I set off for Rio.
There was a storm the day before I visited the park which is why the water looks brown. Due to deforestation the river, when flooded now runs over soil rather than vegetation so it picks up the debris and turns the water brown.
There is a theory that negative ions created by waterfalls make people happy. I was ridiculously happy that day but I think it was more because of being awe struck at seeing nature at it’s most powerful! I also met some amazing people. Two of which recognised my T-Shirt and came up to ask if my name was Greig! Ha! Love it.
It was great to meet you Jo and Trav.
Definitely one for your lists gang.
X
