Therese Johaug battles injuries ahead of Copenhagen half marathon goal

Therese Johaug, a 38-year-old former cross-country skier, is confronting large blisters and a thigh tendon inflammation while training for the Copenhagen half marathon. She has been using hyperbaric oxygen chambers, borrowed from Ole Einar Bjørndalen, and receiving daily treatment at Olympiatoppen to aid recovery. Johaug aims to complete the 21.1-kilometre race in under 1 hour and 10 minutes, a personal target she set more than a year ago.

The flat course in Denmark’s capital is conducive to record-breaking performances, with the Norwegian record at 1:06:55 set by Karoline Bjerkeli Grøvdal. Adjusting from skiing to running has required Johaug to modify her weekly mileage, focus on threshold work, and manage nutrition differently. She remains uncertain about future competition plans but expresses interest in eventually attempting a full marathon.