Mike Essex, the second of 5 Viceroys competing at the ITU World Championships in Edmonton this week, tells us what it takes to compete against the best in the world:

WHAT/WHEN ARE YOU RACING AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Sprint, 40-44, Friday 29th August

HOW DID YOU BECOME A GB ‘AGE GROUPER’?

At Christmas 2013 I decided I wanted to go for the GB team at the sprint distance and knew that I only had one shot at it (due to holidays etc) and this was the Rother Valley sprint in June. I started to ramp the training following an Achilles injury Sept – Dec 2013 and by February was able to train fully. I targeted a few sprint tris in April and May and managed to win my AG in 3 of the 4 tris I entered so knew I was on track. By Rother Valley I was in good condition and even though I had a poor swim and thought I had blown it, I had a strong bike and managed to reel a few guys in with an 18:06 5k run before nearly collapsing in the hedge at the finish! After a nervous few weeks wait, I made the team due to a roll down place with a 105% score.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH / INTERESTED IN TRIATHLON?

My triathlon background? First one in 2008 and have competed in approx a further 20 or so to date. Despite getting older, my times have improved year on year so am a firm believer that PBs can be taken down with the right mental attitude.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Obviously really pleased that Mr Yeoman is in my AG as if doing well wasn’t hard enough!