Therese Johaug and younger brother Karstein have to break with one of their favorite Christmas traditions this year.

Ever since 2008, the two world-class cross-country racers have started their holiday celebration with lactic acid and screaming legs after a time trial home on the farm in Dalsbygda on Christmas Eve. 

“The time trial with Therese is a Christmas tradition in our family. And it is one of my absolute favorite workouts of the entire year,” Karstein Johaug says. 

The 29-year-old is Therese Johaug’s younger brother, and one of her most important advisors on training. Karstein was also one of Therese’s closest supporters and training partner throughout the two years she was suspended from competing and training with the national team due to her doping sentence from 2016. The two siblings did more than 750 hours of training together in 2017 alone. 

So, when Karstein and Therese get together for the traditional time trial on Christmas Eve, there are serious bragging rights at stake. 

“Even though the only prize in this time trial is fame and glory on the farm, we both take this event very seriously,” says Karstein. 

He adds that the time trial also comes with a plethora of benefits.  

“In terms of training, this kind of time trial is one of the most specific workouts you can do, both in terms of racing tactics and intensity. Additionally, it’s a great benchmark for how fit you are compared to the other,” Karstein explains. 

Specific, measurable – and extremely satisfying
The siblings have run this time trial on December 24 every year starting 2008. The course varies from eight to 13 kilometers, depending on conditions and temperature. 

But the race, er… time trial… always takes place on the fields home on the farm in Dalsbygda, on terrain they both know like the back of their hands. This makes the Christmas time trial both race/ ski specific and measurable, and it satisfies their competitive instinct. 

“The thing that’s so cool about this event, is that we both know how we did compared to the other from year to year. Which also makes it extremely exciting. But so far, I’ve won every time,” Karstein says. 

2021: A different Christmas
Now, Karstein has to wait until 2022 for the next chance to race his sister on Christmas Eve. 

Therese is celebrating Christmas in Switzerland, as a part of her preparation for the 2022 Olympics. She is one of the 12 cross-country skiers named to the Norwegian Olympic team on December 20. So, this year, Therese did her time trial on December 23, in Switzerland. 

Karstein is currently focusing on long-distance racing, as a part of the Aukland brothers’ Team Ragde Charge. Last weekend, Karstein was 14th in the Visma Ski Classics opener in Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden. Team captain Aukland’s best training tips for the holidays is volume. A lot of volume.  

PS: There is a good chance that Karstein gets to go head-to-head with Therese later this season: The plan is that Therese will do three Visma Ski Classics events for Team Ragde Charge this winter.