Five Questions: Rachel McArthur

By Peter Cabrera For Dyestat 

Rachel McArthur of Nokesville’s Patriot High School enters her junior year season, joining Libby Davidson, Kate Murphy and Weini Kelati as the top female distance runners in Virginia. She has a US preseason ranking of #24 and last fall won NXN Southeast Championship. She owns a Class 6A state championship in both cross country and the 3,200 meters (10:19 / US#13 VA#1). She also had the state's top time in the 1,600 with 4:46.

Here are five questions for Rachel McArthur: 

Question 1 - How did you start running and at what age?

Rachel McArthur:  I started running in elementary school around when I was 9, but very non-competitively. I had always like running because it was such a simple sport to participate in at the time and I just ran for fun every now and then.  Ever since I started to run, I haven't stopped. I ran track in middle school as well just with my sister and friends, which was a tad more competitive since at that point, I ran more because it seemed I had a knack for the sport.  Then I started racing and once I got to high school, I ran because I loved the thrill.  I also specifically remember one of my first races, I didn't do very well and I just couldn't stand that feeling of not succeeding so I trained hard until I won my first big race; that feeling of failing then succeeding is what kept me motivated to always get better.    

Question 2 - You were able to run in New York for the Adidas Grand Prix for the Dream Mile. What was that experience like? 

Rachel McArthur: I had a great time. I didn't do as well as I had maybe hoped for but since I was only a sophomore, I wasn't really worried about my time or place but I was just excited to travel and go to a big meet like this.  Going to this meet just helped me realize that these are the kind of races I should be working for each season. And next season, I'm aiming and training to do better. 

Question 3 - How was your summer training? Anything different from previous summers?

Rachel McArthur: My summer training this year was much different than my previous summer training.  Incoming freshman and sophomore year, I didn't train really at all over the summer since I wasn't really that into such competitive running and had no motivation.  After my sophomore year, I really got into running.  This summer, I ran almost every day and have been training 10x harder because I have so much motivation to do better this year and really want to start my season strong.   

Question 4 - What is your favorite running event?

Rachel McArthur: I've run anywhere from the 400 to the 3200 (on the track) and 5ks in cross country. I've run a sub 60 second 400 but out of all the events I would definitely consider myself a long distance runner since my best times have come out of the longer distance events such as the mile and 3200.  I run shorter distances for the fun and thrill of them, but my favorite event is the mile because I like all the different strategies that I can use during a race.  The 3200 is probably my least favorite track event because I get so anxious to just run as fast as I can, which is difficult to keep under control in a long race such as this.  In any event though, I love just giving it my all.  

Question 5 - What are some of your goals for this season?

Rachel McArthur: I have a lot of personal goals this season in both cross country and track.  For my cross country season, I'd like to just beat my PR of 17:16 and make it to a national meet so that I can compete much more aggressively than I did last year, since now I have experience and know what to expect.  The same goes for track; I'd like to hit some new PRs for all the events I've run in.  I also want to go back to some of the national meets I've competed in, since this year I have much more confidence in myself and know that I can do well at these meets and know I deserve to be there.