So Morgan, where are you now and what are you doing?
Morgan Arritola: I am in Ketchum, ID, for one more week before we head to Europe for the season. I am training here and we’ve actually had really great skiing the last week.
When do you go to Europe and where?
MA: We head to Munio, Finland on the 7th of November.
Tell us how your off-season was spent and about your training.
MA: It was another spring, summer, and fall of hard, focused training. I haven’t made any major changes just continued to improve upon my technique and the overall quality every day. It’s been a really fun summer and it’s hard to believe it’s almost over but I’m ready to hit the road.
MA: Not really, I have the goal of increasing my overall hours slightly and I have also added a little more intensity in the fall compared to last year. For the most part though it’s just a case of day in and day out training, listening to your body and making the best choices.
What’s your favourite kind of training day – what’s the most fun?
MA: Well I love OD runs but I also love workouts with the team. It’s really fun to be doing a sprint time trial and to be out there with people like Bird, Newell, Liz, as well as younger skiers from programs like Stratton, SVSEF, and Burke. It’s a great learning atmosphere and it’s really fun.
MA: The Olympics were rough. I was so disappointed in myself and heartbroken really. I learned a lot about mental toughness and not letting one race dictate the next. I also learned that in that environment it’s really easy to expend extra energy.
What are your impressions of skiing at the World Cup level?
MA: I love competing on the World Cup, it’s such an energetic and competitive atmosphere. I enjoy the travel and it’s really amazing to race in countries where people are in to cross-country skiing and respect the athletes.
It must feel good to have achieved this dream as many don’t get this far in their given sport?
MA: Yes, five years ago I would have never dreamed it for myself so I am grateful, but I also want to take it as far as I can and to realize my potential. I don’t just want to go – I want to be a competitor.
MA: I’m just proud of being me. I’m an honest person who has gotten to where I am because of really hard work. I love my friends and family and I get to do something most people in this country could never dream of.
There are other strong US women to train with – what’s that like?
MA: It’s great and it’s also great to see the younger girls training hard and aiming to be great skiers. I wish I had that exposure when I was a younger. I wish I knew cross-country skiing existed when I was younger.
What do you think the opening World Cups will be like?
MA: It will be exciting and people will be ready to race, but at the end of the day it’s just another race and no different than the rest, so I just have to be calm, confident, and ready.
What is your season-long goal for this winter?
MA: I want to be consistent with my results on the World Cup. I’ve had some decent results in the past but nothing I am really happy about as I know I can do better. I also want to be on the US Nordic World Championship team as Oslo is going to be an amazing venue for some great ski racing. Where else do people camp out for a week and cheer for you even when you’re training?
What do you do on the road during the long World Cup season to have fun?
MA: We have some musically talented people on the team, myself not included, so they play a lot which is really cool. We also go out and do things. It depends on where we are but it’s important to keep the laughter going.
MA: I actually have no clue. I keep a training log and send it to [Chris] Grover [US Head Coach] weekly but I’m not focused on the number. I may look at it every now and then but by no means is it my focus. Anyone can train a ton of hours but I am focused on making each one a quality workout.
Thanks for your thoughts, we wish you the best this season.
MA: Thank you