How Speed Skater Erin Jackson Is Training for the Winter Olympics 2026

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Erin Jackson is hitting the ice hard.

The Winter Olympics 2026 are just 100 days away, starting on February 6th, and a speed skater is hoping to compete for Team USA for the third time. Before heading to the Milan-Cortina Games, the gold medalist shared details about her year-round training regimen.

Erin, who is preparing for the Olympic Trials in January, explained to TopMob News that her training runs from April to March. She and dermatologist Dr. Camille Howard-Verovic shared in an exclusive interview that they only take two weeks off – the final two weeks of March – before immediately resuming training.

Throughout the summer, Erin and her coach, Renee Hildebrand, modified her training plan. They observed she was putting in many hours with a high volume of work, but at a relatively lower intensity.

We’ve now moved into a phase with less overall volume but more intense workouts,” she said. “After this, we’ll begin the race season in about two weeks, and then it will be a continuous push until the championships.

With the gold medalist’s training fluctuating over the year, her diet has to follow suit. 

Okay, so I’ve been following her advice religiously, and it totally makes sense! She says we should really load up on carbs before a workout – it’s all about giving your body fuel to actually use during the session. Then, the really important part – protein afterwards! She explained it’s how you fix all the muscle damage you do when you’re pushing yourself, so it can come back stronger. It’s brilliant, honestly!

“That’s just very generally speaking,” Erin emphasized. “There are ratios and things like that. It’s not all carbs and all protein, but just making sure you hit those basic macros.”

At 33 years old, this athlete understands that taking care of her mental well-being is just as important as staying in good physical shape. She started speed skating in 2017 after previously competing in inline skating.

In a technically demanding and individual sport like mine, mental strength is crucial. You really need to be mentally ready before you compete. I personally feel lucky that I actually thrive under pressure.

She said she thrives under pressure. As the current Olympic champion, she expects a lot of pressure at the upcoming Games, but believes it will actually motivate her to perform her best.

For Erin, who made history as the first Black woman to win a gold medal in an individual sport at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, prioritizing personal time and solitude is crucial.

She described her days as exhausting, like having a full-time job of constant focus and training. That’s why she really appreciates coming home to unwind, spend time with her pets, chat with her dad, and watch some TV.

Simply put, “Having a lot of rest and recovery is the key.”

A part of Erin’s R&R was actually getting her eczema diagnosis.

Knowing what was happening was reassuring,” she said. “It didn’t really alter my workouts, but it did give me peace of mind about how I felt and how my skin reacted during training.

As a long-time advocate for eczema solutions, I was thrilled when I learned I’d be working with Eli Lilly and Company, the creators of EBGLYSS. It genuinely felt like a fantastic chance to make a real difference.

I’m genuinely partnering with them because I personally deal with eczema,” she explained. “It feels great to be able to openly share what I’ve gone through.

Eczema is a very common skin problem, and Dr. Howard-Verovic understands it can be challenging to deal with, no matter who you are—even a world-class athlete.

As someone who also lives with eczema, I truly believe it’s vital we all share our experiences with atopic dermatitis. It’s such a common chronic skin condition, and so many people are quietly struggling – we need to let them know they’re not alone and give them a voice.

She explained that eczema is widely recognized – most people have heard the term. However, she added that there’s still a lot to understand about the condition and how to effectively manage its symptoms and find relief.

As Erin continues to train on the ice, keep reading for a look back at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

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2025-10-29 20:47