Dr Jen Law is no stranger to the pain felt by athletes who will cross the finish line on Sunday after the physical and mental battle of the 226km Ironman course.
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Dr Law, who is heading up a 111 strong team of doctors, nurses, paramedics, students and admin staff in the medical tent, has crossed the finish line as a competitor in six full and half Ironman events.
"Many of us who are working here are triathletes which helps in understanding how the athletes are feeling when they come to us," Dr Law said.
The cold start for Sunday's swim leg is going to prove challenging for many athletes, particularly when teamed with a strong cross wind on Cathie straight, as the day progresses.
Several swimmers in the 1700 strong field were forced from the water this morning.
"The swim did go exceedlingly well with no major incidents. The cold temperatures however will be a big predictor for how the athletes will fair and how many we will see through the medical tent," Dr Law said.
The pressure will heighten for the crew from about 3pm when the field starts to cross the line. They expect up to 15 per cent of field to end up on stretchers after the race with more than 175 drips rigged and ready to go.
"We will be treating athletes suffering mostly from dehydration, shock, hypothermia, vomiting and exhaustion. There will be numerous abrasions, cuts and scrapes we will need to attend to and then there is the pain - the immense pain," Dr Law said.
When asked if she would rather be manning the medico tent or out on the course competing, Dr Law was quick to respond.
"I just prefer to be crossing the finish line on both sides."
Carol Chandler will join a team of 111 volunteers in the Ironman medical tent today as she steps up to provide care for athletes for the 14th time in her career.
Carol, a nurse in the intensive care unit at Port Macquarie Base Hospital, says the camaraderie of working alongside a dedicated and committed team inspires her to come back every year to lend a hand.
"I just love it. I've done it all - been in the ambos, on the back of bikes, on the swim leg. But I much prefer to be here in the tent on the late shift," Carol said.
"There are some regulars who come back year after year and when they come in they see me and give me a wave.
"We all just think it's amazing what these athletes can put their bodies through. And there are all sizes - some little ones and some big bulky ones, it just surprises me how they can do it."
