Northug's Challenge: Racing Against Time and Expectations

"My plan moving forward, while I will still compete in long-distance roller skiing events, is to adopt a more well-rounded training approach," Petter Northug shared with NRK.

Five years after his retirement in 2018, Northug made an impressive return to cross-country skiing during the 2022/2023 season, focusing on long-distance races within the Ski Classics. Now, as he prepares for the upcoming World Championship season, he is shifting his training strategy. His aim before Christmas is to secure a spot in the Scandinavian Cup.

"I believe that adopting more traditional training methods—focusing on speed, agility, and explosiveness—is essential. These are areas where my body is lacking due to age," Northug explained, noting that his recent workouts have primarily involved poling and endurance sessions.

The return of his renowned competitor, Therese Johaug, to the World Championships in Trondheim has sparked an array of questions regarding Northug's own comeback potential. However, the pressing inquiry remains: Does the 38-year-old still have the capacity to qualify?

The Fight Against Time

Northug is acutely aware that he is no longer in his twenties.
"How does your body feel with age?" he mused.
"It can be disheartening. You feel worn out, old, and slow. The fluid movements you once had in your mid-20s seem to be elusive now. When you try to recall those movements, everything feels rather constrained today."

To compete in all-around races and qualify for the Scandinavian Cup—paving the way for a potential World Championship appearance—Northug acknowledges that he must make some tough choices about his training regimen.

"It's challenging. You need to be selective with your difficult training sessions, concentrating on the workouts that matter. Recovery is crucial, especially after tough competitions like the Top Sports Week," he asserted.
"It's also vital to set aside distractions during training periods so you can rest properly between sessions and enjoy quality sleep. This focus becomes increasingly important when you're ramping up your training."

"Are you feeling the pressure of age in your quest to qualify for the World Championships?"
"Absolutely, everything seems to be working against me."

Increasing Possibilities

Despite the obstacles, Northug is optimistic. He believes he has managed to increase his odds of qualifying for a home World Championship by improving from a mere 1 percent to a promising 2.2 percent following a strong performance in a long-distance race in Aure during the Top Sports Week.
Although he finished just over five seconds behind the winner after experiencing a pole break, his effort was commendable.

However, national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum remains skeptical about Northug's qualifications, suggesting he will likely need to earn a spot on the World Cup circuit with several podium finishes to have a shot at the World Championships.

Yet, there's no denying Northug's determination. His father, John Northug, told NRK that while the odds may be slim, he believes in his son's commitment.
"We all recognize that the chances are minimal," the younger Northug agreed.

However, John added, "If qualifying is Petter's great ambition, anything is possible. He trains rigorously."

Would a Swedish Passport Change the Game?

Anders Aukland, widely recognized as Norway’s fittest 50-year-old, pointed out that Northug's maximum oxygen uptake diminishes with age, impacting his performance capacity.
"As it gradually declines, you face greater difficulties in shorter distances," noted Aukland, continuing, "But with effective training, it can be mitigated."

Aukland believes that Northug, with his solid training foundation, can train smarter while reducing overall volume. However, he expresses concern over Northug’s qualification prospects.

"Being Norwegian and outside the national team complicates his path to the World Championships significantly," Aukland added.
"If he were Swedish, he'd be lining up at the World Championships without a doubt."

A Dream Team Sprint

Both Anders Aukland and John Northug, along with Torgeir Bjørn, share similar sentiments—that qualifying may prove tough for Northug. Yet NRK's cross-country skiing expert maintains that the possibility remains.

He believes the skiing community is yearning to see Northug team up with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo for a team sprint at the World Championships.
"I’d be thrilled to partner with Johannes on that stage—but the competition is fierce and there are numerous strong contenders to partner with him," Northug stated.

When asked what it would take to revive his sprinting prowess, he responded, "More time in the gym, engaging those fast-twitch muscle fibers, and boosting intensity in my training. What came naturally when you were younger now requires focused work in older age. This is what I need to prioritize, especially for all-around performance where explosiveness is key."