No gain without pain for Nutri-Grain surf ironwoman star Jordan Mercer

SHE can do one-armed handstands, backflips and 20 chin ups with her eyes closed and now former champion iron woman Jordan Mercer has added a new skill to her repertoire.

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SHE can do one-armed handstands, backflips and 20 chin ups with her eyes closed and now former champion iron woman Jordan Mercer has added a new skill to her repertoire.

On the comeback from a fractured arm and two years of a troublesome foot injury which required surgery and extended rehabilitation, the student teacher has taught herself how to differentiate between “hurtful and harmful pain”.

The first is what the surf star expects whenever she races, the latter is what she fears could derail her Nutri-Grain ironwman campaign this season.

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Mercer is struggling with the after effects of having her foot rebuilt and screws inserted, with running an issue and a new stress fracture a possibility.

Jordan Mercer is ready to push pain aside to race in the second round of the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series.

“The only thing that would stop me completing the series would be the pain or if I thought it would jeopardise next season. But if it’s just hurtful and not harming, nothing will stop me,” Mercer said ahead of round two of the ironwoman racing at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

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“If I can make it through last season gritting my teeth I can get through this one.

“The only thing that would stop me is if it was harming me. That would be when I have to think would it jeopardise next season.

“At the moment I can see myself going through the season. There is pain there. But I am trained to monitor what is happening in my foot.’’

Ironwoman Jordan Mercer finished well off the podium in round one.

Jordan Mercer competing in the series last year.

Mercer, who finished ninth in the opening round two weeks ago, is looking for a top three finish at Coolum on Saturday.

In her way is inform Coolangatta Gold champion Georgie Miller, round one winner Maddy Dunn and a raft of former champions including both Harriet Brown and Courtney Hancock.

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Dunn broke a three-year drought to win the opening ironwoman race with her defeat of Miller and Brown.

Young gun James Lacey, who finished third overall last season, proved himself the man to beat this time round with his unexpected round one victory.

Lacey beat former champions Matt Poole and Kendrick Louis for the honours with the trio favourites for the Coolum event.