Ouch, first 100KM

I'll keep this short(ish)
First 100km race to a bit apprehensive especially as my training hadn't gone to plan in the last month. Started in the 3rd wave as I was late to start due to not being able to find my sunnies (glad I didn't find them).

Set off Ok, got to the first hill pretty quickly but found that I was still being held up a fair bit. The riding soon stopped as a chain reaction of riders stopped in front of me. Got back on around the 500m mark and rode the rest. Passed the 28km feeling good, got the 50km point around 2hr 30mins so was going ok as I was aiming for around 6hrs. Quick stop and onwards to what was probably the hardest section for me on a 29er hardtail, after the nice climb that is. 50-70km was tough going and I was praying for some smooth fire trail.

Got to the water crossing and joined the queue of riders waiting to cross, some were wading through with the water up to their necks. Watched plenty of people fall in one after the other, hmm not what I needed to see, some sneeky people rode up and walked it. My turn come so I set off get to almost the 3rd last kayak and for some reason I decide to launch myself at it and face planted it. End result, sitting on the bank, spitting blood, nose bleed and blood pouring from a cut below the eybrow. Race over, wait on paramedic.

Must thank all the people who helped get me and my bike back to St Albans to get stitched up and the rider Brad who gave up his own time out of the race to do the initial assessment. Gutted not to finish but back on the bike and try again for the husky (once all the swelling has gone down).
Well done to all the other riders.