Lessons from Korea and Preparing for Kazakhstan

2025 August 12th

Coming home from Korea, I had just under 30 days to prepare for the last stop of the 2025 Asian Cup: Schuchinsk, Kazakhstan. Three days of intense competition had left me exhausted, exhilarated, and more motivated than ever. But it also gave me something invaluable: confidence. I had now experienced what a real cross-country trail feels like, what racing internationally is like, and what it truly takes to ski at a competitive level.

With that confidence came a shift in how I approached training. Back home in Wrightwood, I committed to training full-time. No more squeezing in sessions between other commitments or “winging it” on parking lot asphalt. I had a plan, a coach guiding me, and a clear goal: go into Kazakhstan stronger, faster, and smarter than I had ever been.

Nutrition became part of the strategy too. I had spent too many years living on fast food and whatever was convenient. Thankfully, Selina is an incredible cook, and she’s always been focused on healthy eating. With her guidance, it was easy to shift back into her style of wholesome, nourishing meals. It felt good fueling my body properly, knowing I was giving myself the best chance to perform. Plus, it was a nice way to share something positive together after such a grueling trip to Korea.

The coaching I received from Carl and Lenard was invaluable. We analyzed the three events in Korea—the classic sprint, 15K free skate, and 15K classic—breaking down every mistake and highlight. My training in Wrightwood now included structured intervals, long-distance endurance, uphill technique, and strength work. Recovery, nutrition, and mental preparation were emphasized just as much as physical conditioning. Every session was about building consistency and efficiency.

Mentally, I also approached this training block differently. I visualized the courses in Kazakhstan, rehearsed pacing, and practiced strategies to handle fatigue. Having already survived an international competition, I felt more prepared to focus on execution rather than nerves. The goal was clear: improve my FIS points, ski smarter, and show that I belonged on the international stage.

Looking back, Korea was exhausting, humbling, and exhilarating all at once—but it was also the perfect wake-up call. It showed me exactly what I needed to focus on and gave me the confidence to commit fully to this journey. Now, every training session in Wrightwood, every healthy meal with Selina, and every push on the roller skis was a step toward a stronger, more prepared me.

Schuchinsk was looming on the calendar, and I knew that if I applied everything I had learned, it could be a turning point in my journey to represent the Philippines in cross-country skiing.

Next up: Kazakhstan, the final stop of the 2025 Asian Cup, where three new races would test everything I had worked for—and give me a chance to see just how far I’d come.

To be continued…