Therese Johaug's Childcare Dilemma Amidst Her Comeback

Therese Johaug's Childcare Dilemma Amidst Her Comeback

Originally published in NRK on September 12, 2024

Therese Johaug is ramping up her training in preparation for the upcoming World Championships, after announcing her comeback this summer.

With just five months until the event kicks off in Trondheim, Johaug is fully aware of the value of her time as a mother to her young daughter, Kristin.

At ten o'clock, she can be found sprinting up the stairs at the national facility in Holmenkollen, dressed in her ski boots and helmet.

Having already dropped her daughter off at daycare, Johaug has completed her first roller ski training session of the day.

"It’s this time crunch," she remarks with a sense of urgency.

A BUSY EVERYDAY LIFE: Returning to the spotlight, Johaug is navigating the dual demands of being a top athlete and a dedicated mother.

– How do you manage your daily routine right now?
– It’s hectic. I have to be incredibly structured and dedicated. Now that Kristin is in daycare, I can squeeze in two training sessions before picking her up.

– The time between sessions is short, but I get more recovery during the afternoon and evening, which helps for the next day, she emphasizes.

"Can I Handle This?"

Since her comeback announcement, Johaug has been balancing the life of an elite athlete with that of a young mother, all while managing her brand and engaging in sponsorship commitments.

Once she makes a decision, there’s little chance she’ll look back.

– It felt liberating to finally express it, to acknowledge it both to myself and to others. I feel that last surge of determination within me, she shares.

– What were your thoughts when your comeback became official?
– Initially, I thought: “Oh no, what have I done?” Suddenly, the reality set in. I found myself wondering, “Can I really manage this? Am I losing my path?” But I had to trust my instincts and believe it was possible, she states emphatically.

"I Could Never Forgive Myself"

Among those skeptical of Johaug's return is Swedish athlete Calle Halfvarsson.

– People often think, “She’s won so much; why does she want to return?” he commented in a discussion about her situation with the Swedish media.

– But there’s something addictive about winning; it’s a feeling you want to hold onto as long as possible.

Johaug clarifies that her main reason for retiring in 2022 was not a shortage of ambition but a deep desire to become a mother.

“I could never forgive myself if I chased my career without eventually becoming a mother,” she reflects.

The silver lining of her decision is evident, as her daughter Kristin was born on May 17, 2023.

However, Johaug admits she also lost her identity as a competitive skier during her hiatus—a role she has missed, despite moments when a return felt impossible.

"How Does It Feel to Miss It?"

– It’s like something essential is missing. I'm naturally competitive, and with the 50km in Trondheim being held in a championship for the first time, it's a significant part of Norwegian skiing history. I want to give it a shot, she expresses passionately.

Now, only six months remain.

Contemplating Daycare Changes

Physical tests on both roller skis and treadmill have shown promising results for Johaug.

Current assessments indicate that the skier from Dalsbygda, who boasts ten individual World Championship golds and four Olympic golds, is returning to top form.

  • That doesn’t guarantee a fast ski season, she humbly counters.

Still, these positive indicators bolster her confidence in the quest to secure a historic fifth gold in the 50km at Granåsen.

To achieve this, difficult decisions lie ahead. Her husband, Nils Jakob Hoff, continues his full-time work as a doctor until just before Beitostølen.

  • We have some parental leave planned from late November into December, after the World Championships. We’ll see whether Kristin stays in daycare or if we bring her home, Johaug shares.

– For now, we’re focused on building up my immune system as much as possible, she adds.

With a new baby in the house, Johaug acknowledges she can't control everything.

– I do feel a bit insecure about it all right now.

– Have you made plans for if Kristin falls ill now?
– As the season progresses, we’ll have our cabin at Sjusjøen ready. If needed, either she or I will escape there, especially as the races approach. It’s unfortunate to be dealing with sickness when trying to make a comeback.

– It’s crucial to avoid illness, especially with stomach bugs at home. You might not get sick, but it’s not ideal to be caught off guard.

_– We’re both fully committed to this.

If everything falls into place, Johaug aims to compete in the national opener at Beitostølen at the end of November, followed by the World Cup events in Ruka and Lillehammer, while skipping the Tour de Ski and subsequent high-altitude World Cup events after Christmas.

Note: Therese Johaug served as a Nordic skiing expert for NRK for the past two seasons, with her contract concluding early in spring 2024 as she makes her athletic return.