LITTLE more than a year ago Nicola Welham's life took an unexpected and unplanned turn.

The breakdown of her marriage left her the single mum of a toddler - something she never imagined would happen - and she was unsure what to do next.

But her determination not to give up and to find ways through hugely difficult times have seen her overcome major adversity to not only take up a tough new sport but qualify for its world championships in under 12 months.

The 33-year-old will head to Canada in August where she will represent Great Britain in the Duathlon World Championships which sees her take part in a 5km run followed by a 20km bike ride and another 5km run to finish.

And as she continues to train hard and try to raise the funds she needs in order to compete Nicola, who works for Essex County Council as a specialist teacher supporting children with physical and neurological impairments, says she also hopes to inspire other women to believe they can achieve similar goals.

"When my marriage broke down it wasn't something I had expected really.

"We had been together for ten years and married for four and our little boy Edward was only 18 months old.

"I always thought we would always be able to work through anything."

Nicola says she remembers feeling determined not to go to pieces in the aftermath and having previously suffered from eating disorders she was adamant she wanted to avoid slipping back into this.

"I know this sounds silly but I was determined not to lose weight or go back to that way of coping.

"I had suffered from eating disorders at university and up to my early 20s and I think it probably was a way of coping for me.

"I went from being around 11stone, which I was when I started university I think to under 7st at my lightest.

"That was when I got professional help and my best friend Catherine, who has been a massive support to me throughout all of this, and my ex-husband actually both helped me overcome it.

"My weight does fluctuate and I do realise that for me it is linked to stress but I did think that perhaps people expected me to go down that path again this time and so I was absolutely determined not to," she explains.

Nicola says taking control and account of herself had helped her overcome her eating disorder in the past and she decided she needed something to focus on again to help her with this.

"With the support of amazing family and friends I stayed focused and positive that things would work out for the best.

"Sort and fitness have always been my passion and when I was low, angry, lonely, lost I would find my release, my happy place at the gym, on my bike, running along the beach or walking with the dog, most of the time with Edward in tow as well."

As well as looking after Edward, now three, finding a new home and working as a teacher she made sure she exercised as regularly as possible.

"I did a lot of boot camps and would take Edward in his pushchair but as he got older and more mobile this became a bit trickier.

"I was running regularly and one day at the gym a guy there said he thought I would be a good duathlete.

"At that point I didn't even have a bike," she admits.

But having looked into the discipline she first got on the bike last May and began training.

"I was told that I had potential to be a strong duathlete and if I trained hard I could make it to the World Championships.

"I thought the idea was ridiculous but I just decided to take up the challenge and see what happened. I think I put everything into seeing if I could qualify and didn't really look beyond it.

"I had to fit all the training in around taking care of my little boy and also work so I set things up at home that meant I could train in the evenings.

"My bike clips into a special piece of equipment which allows me to train inside and I then try and get out on the road whenever he is at nursery," she adds.

Having trained six days a week Nicola headed to the trials and was stunned when she qualified for the World Championships.

"I think I had put everything into actually getting to that point that it took a while to get me head round it.

"There is no funding for this so I have to buy my own kit and pay to get out there which is going to cost about £2,500 as I also have to ship my bike out but I am really hoping I can secure some sponsorship from lcoal businesses and my friends have set up a fundraising page for me which is just really lovely.

"My family do not live around here so I have been so lucky to have absolutely amazing friends who have supported me and go me through what happened and helped me with my training," explains Nicola who also has begun training with a triahlon club in Colchester with the hope of branching out into that discipline.

"I am also an ambassador for the This Girl Can campaign which is a national movement looking to encourage girls to do sport, at any level and just enjoy themselves.

"And if I can inspire just one person with my own story they I will be very happy."

* Nicola head to Penticton in Canada for the Duathlon World Championships in August. If you are interested in sponsoring her please contact Nicola at nicolaglibbery@yahoo.co.uk