Podcasts Sports Running Ali on the Run Show 411. Kara Goucher, NBC Olympics Distance Analyst

411. Kara Goucher, NBC Olympics Distance Analyst

Published: Aug. 18, 2021, 9 a.m.

\u201cWhen you compete at that level, there\u2019s this high that comes with that. And I\u2019ve missed that. And nothing has replaced it, really\u2026 And I got little bit of that feeling calling some of those races. I started to feel that little high again that I used to get when I raced.\u201d

Last month, Kara Goucher joined the Ali on the Run Show to talk about her experience being part of the NBC broadcast team at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, OR. Today, Kara's back \u2014 and this time, she's here to talk about what it was like commentating at the Tokyo Olympic Games! Kara just returned from Tokyo, where she served as an NBC Olympics Distance Analyst, calling the men's and women's races from the 1500m up to the marathon. She talks about how this experience compared to the Trials, and breaks down her studying process for each race, including what she did to make sure she pronounced every name of every athlete correctly. She shares the one thing she said on air that kept her up at night, reflects on getting choked up when Molly Seidel went for the bronze in the marathon, and explains why she wasn't allowed to cry on air. She talks about having to keep it together when one of her closest friends, Emma Coburn, was having a tough race in the steeplechase final, and talks about what it was like calling the men's marathon after having a complicated history with former teammate and Team USA competitor Galen Rupp. Finally, Kara, a two-time Olympian herself, answers listener questions about her time in Tokyo and what's next.

SPONSOR:\xa0Oiselle\xa0\u2014\xa0Use code ONTHERUN for 15% off.

What you\u2019ll get on this episode:

  • Kara explains what her role was at the Tokyo Olympics, and when she could be heard commentating (3:55)
  • How Kara was feeling confidence-wise heading into the Olympics broadcast (16:45)
  • How Kara studied and prepped for the races she\u2019d be calling (22:00)
  • How Kara decompressed each night after working the races (27:45)
  • The races Kara was most excited to call, and how to find the line between excitement and emotion (30:00)
  • How Kara recalls her own experiences on the run during these races \u2014 without talking about herself too much (43:00)
  • How Kara and her team called the men\u2019s and women\u2019s marathons (44:30)
  • Does Kara feel respected in this role? (50:20)
  • What\u2019s next for Kara on the commentating front and beyond? (51:30)
  • How being at the Games this year gave Kara a different perspective on her own time competing (56:15)
  • Kara answers listener questions from the Ali on the Run Show Facebook Group (1:03:30)

What we mention on this episode:

Kara Goucher on Episode 43 of the Ali on the Run Show

Kara Goucher on Episode 86 of the Ali on the Run Show

Kara and Adam Goucher on Episode 208 of the Ali on the Run Show

Follow Kara:\xa0

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show!\xa0If you\u2019re enjoying the show, please\xa0subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!