Iron Hill Challenge

Newark, DE
Iron Hill Challenge (MASS XC #4) Sunday May 31, 2009
by: John Glodek

It has been close to a solid month since I was last able to kit up in the Full Metal Gear.  Thanks to the people at Trek/GaryFisher I was able to get a new frame in time for the Iron Hill Race.  Most of my race prep has been on the raod…but I was able to squeeze in some training sessions on the trails with the new whip…beefy…sturdy…light…stoked.

Made the drive north to Newark…feeling the effects of lack of sleep due to helping my loved one through a recovery of her own…I wouldnt have any other way.  Mentally I was on it…felt great in warm up…had my ever expanding cheering section on site…looking forward to full on ‘race’ in the race.

Start was more than solid…hole shot into the single track.  Early morning showers kept the trails tacky…yet some sections/corners slick…so I leaned on the cautious side still trying to learn the feeling of the whip.  Did my best to keep the foot on the gas…but just could not bring out the reserves.  Caught early in lap 1 by chasers.  A slick run-up left me holding on to the lead pack.  Eventually was dropped by the end of lap 1.

Lap 2 turned into recovery and re-up my gameplan.  Took the technical descent a little too loose and was pitched over the bars.  All happened too fast…before I knew it I was up asking myself “What happened?”  Did a quick assessment of my body and my bike…all things checked out…except a sharp pain in my right palm/thumb.  Swung my leg over the bike and kept grinding.

Lap 3 was survival…no reserves in the tank.  Rode a lot smarter and more efficient on the final lap…clean and smooth.  But just no real kick in the legs.  Rolled through the finish…handed in my chip…and then the pain really set in on my hand.  Couldnt grip and any movement sent pain.

Decided it would be a good idea to get an x-ray.  Emergency room wasnt too bad of a wait…in and out in about 2 hours.  No break…no fracture…just a sprain.  Doc splinted my thumb and wrapped it.  Since I am right handed the next few days would be interesting…real interesting.  It’s thursday…splint is off…hand feels good…a little tender…but good to go.

On tap this weekend is a race I have been looking forward to all season: the Hoo-Ha…part of the US-MTB Cup…the race took me out with a mechanical 15 minutes in last year…I am looking for redemption.

Thanks for reading!

-John Glodek