A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by my local news at Fox4 KC talking all about training for the Boston Marathon, balancing running and fitness with kids and more! They ran a 5 minute segment about me, the boys, training, and the marathon. They liked me so much (they liked me!!) that they wanted to do a follow-up piece.
I am much more comfortable behind the computer/camera… but was excited for the opportunity to learn, grow and challenge myself. So I agreed to head in to the studio for a LIVE interview on their morning show. Yikes!
I wasn’t nervous waiting to be seen. I actually had no idea what to expect, say, or talk about. Ha! Nothing like wining it on live television!
Hanging out on the sideline, off stage, starting to get nervous. I can talk to anyone (even a wall!) but knowing that there are cameras recording me… I tend to get nervous and stutter over my well-intentioned words.
I was so incredibly nervous during the interview. I was shaking and sweating (thank goodness for my jacket to hide the pit-sweat). I was stumbling and stuttering over my answers.
I even remember at one point in the interview, answering a question and then halfway through my rambling answer thinking to myself, “Where was I going with this? What was the question” then stopped talking! Ha! Looking back on the interview… I didn’t even answer the question remotely! *sigh*
My friend recorded the segment and took the above video on her phone and sent it to me.
When you watch it you can totally tell where I rambled and lost my train of thought on the third question: “What kind of reaction did you get from people when you started the blog, and how did you respond to their reaction?”
What I really should have said, in hindsight was… “When I first started my blog back in 2005, it was a way to stay in contact with my family and friends after we moved to California. I wrote primarily as a way to document my pregnancy and our adventures in our new state. I even used to delete and block new readers for fear of the internet stranger danger. Over the years, running Rachel evolved into a place where I could share our family’s adventures, travels, my training and racing, and parenting successes and struggles. It is more an online diary of sorts and a resource for other moms who are going through a similar journey… as well as for me to look back and reflect upon my health and fitness and parenting journey. Being new to the area, I am finding the reaction from people when they found out I write a blog they are full of questions. I simply tell them that I am a mom who runs and I share my training and journey through parenting online. There isn’t anything super special about me… just a mom named Rachel who runs… Running Rachel.”
Ah… if only there were a rewind and edit button for live TV.
I think my days of being in front of the TV/camera are over. Ha! I’ll stick to behind the camera and computer… until someone else asks and wants me to learn and grow in my communication skills. Ha!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs says
Oh how cool!
I’m very much the same, put a camera in my face and I completely lose the ability to form coherent sentences. I’m sure I’d get so flustered I’d end up dropping an f-bomb 😉 I can edit those out when I type 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
How cool is this?! And you did awesome! I don’t think anyone would realize you didn’t answer the question because you’re just so likable!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
You did great! I would have been so nervous too. I love how your title is “local mom”. I bet you will have all kinds of locals looking you up to run with. 🙂 Congrats
Artney @ My Pretty Brown says
This is really awesome! I think you did very well. We are always hard on ourselves, when we really don’t need to be. You rock, girl! As for me, I would have been soooo nervous. I know you are a big inspiration to those around you! I mean c’mon, you ran Boston and had fun doing it!
Jenn says
Aw! You did great!
I have been on TV a few times and hated every second of it LOL! I am so much better (and more useful) behind the scenes.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Very cool! I was interviewed once on TV, when my son was little. He had really bad eczema and was enrolled in a study at the children’s hospital in Chicago. His doctor wanted us to be in the interview with her. I was so nervous! And I had a really bad hair day. The funny thing is, we weren’t even interviewed by the reporter, but by a producer behind the camera. Funny how what you see on TV isn’t even close to what is reality.
Marcia says
It’s a cute piece! You did fine! I used to work for CBS so lots of time behind the camera. I was interviewed in Boston by a local station the 2nd time I ran the marathon because it was the year of that volcano eruption and many European runners could not make the trip over because of that. Why they wanted to talk to me about that, I’ll never know.
Cassi says
No, I’ve never been on live TV. Phone interviews even make me nervous!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
Very cool! I was a movie extra a few times and did some student films. But I was never in a live interview on TV.
jill conyers says
That is awesome Rachel! I def prefer behind the camera but I’m so so tempted to try videos again. We’ll see 🙂
James @ HalfMarathonJames says
The interview sounded great. I think we are always our worst critics. I’ve done a few interviews, and you always wish you’d said other things etc, but you did really well. You didn’t ramble at all, don’t worry ha
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
Oh my gosh what a cool opportunity.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
What a cool experience! We’re often our worst critic, but I think you did great in the segment!
CARLA says
OH I HAVE BEEN WAIIIITING FOR THIS TOO.
(she shouts)
you are beyond adorable.
Courtney @ eat pray run dc says
How fun! I agree with Nicole that I would barely have even noticed your small flub if you hadn’t mentioned it 🙂
katie says
Of course they liked you!! What’s not to like?! You did a FANTASTIC job! Are you going to run RnRSTL? 🙂 YES?!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
So cool! Congrats on the opportunity!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak says
That’s awesome!! I would be SO awkward on live TV it’s not even funny lol but what an amazing opportunity for you!