“My summer training has been going well. I have been basing out of a new location [In America] this year and enjoying having a roller ski track to train on,” Kern explains.

“I always look forward to coming down to the Snow Farm to get on snow during the summer, and a break from the heat at home. They had great conditions at the Snow Farm with all trails open and groomed, offering lots of great kilometres of skiing.”

Read more: The Ultimate training destination for Olympic medallists & World Champions 

For many athletes, running is a key part of their training, but for Kern, it’s been a challenge to incorporate due to years of pain. Instead, she’s found ways to adapt her regimen while maintaining the high level of intensity required to compete on the world stage.

“The great thing about cross-country skiing is that we can cross-train using many modes. Roller skiing is a close alternative to skiing, so I did most of my intensity sessions roller skiing, but I also got into biking a lot in the last 5 years, especially for the distance sessions. We have really good gravel and mountain biking in Vermont, so it is easy and fun to substitute running with biking!”

As for future plans, Kern hints that a return to New Zealand is likely on the horizon. “I think so! We love skiing in New Zealand and have done this camp for many years together,” she says, referring to the training she’s shared with her teammate Jessie Diggins.

Read more: Julia Kern and Jessie Diggins Training On Snow In Australia

Looking ahead

Kern’s schedule is packed. “I am home for the rest of the month, and then I head to Park City, Utah for another National Team Camp that is 2 weeks long. We have one more block of training at home before we head to Munio to get on snow before the races begin.”

Though her rigorous travel and training schedule takes her far from home for extended periods, Kern has learned to manage the challenges of life on the road. “Being away from home has gotten harder over the years,” she admits. “I found the early years on the World Cup really fun and easy, and a break from University for me. I have always loved to travel and have been accustomed to it with almost my entire family living in Germany. But now, I find it is getting a bit harder the more consecutive years I continue to travel. I am usually gone from home for 7 months of the year, sharing rooms with people. However, I am fortunate that my family comes over to Europe for Christmas to celebrate, and to watch some World Cups, and that I am really good at video calling friends and family from all over the world!”

Reflecting on last season

Kern describes it as particularly challenging due to illness. “Last season was quite challenging for me, I was battling illness all season, especially after having the flu in December. I continued to fight every race in the season and still produced some results, despite feeling like I was fighting my body the whole season. This spring I was able to take a long period of continued rest to fully recover my body and return back to feeling like myself, so I am excited for this season!”

With the upcoming season fast approaching, Kern is setting clear goals for herself. “I want to continue to improve all around as a skier and be in the Top 5 sprint rankings at the end of the season. To achieve that, one of my goals is to podium in a sprint and consistently make the finals in sprint races. Specifically for World Champs, I will be focused on skiing my best for the sprint and trying to make the team sprint for the U.S. team.”

See more of Julia Kern’s updates here

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