When the “Chicago City of” came up on my caller ID at 1:25 pm today I finally relaxed a bit. It had been 7 weeks since my initial inquiry to the Mayor’s Press Office.
Back in early December I called the Mayor’s Press Office asked the general staffer about arranging an interview with the Mayor for a column for Triathlete magazine. Rahm Emanuel had finished 9th out of 80 in his age group in the Chicago Triathlon in 2011 and Triathlete was interested in a profile on the Mayor of Chicago if I was granted an interview. (Come to think of it, my original pitch to Triathlete was in November.) Multiple emails and phone calls later and more pitching to his Press Secretary, Tarrah Cooper, a very professional, highly organized 25 year old, told me I was given the slot to interview Emanuel today. My fingers were crossed all day that his schedule would still permit…I prayed something else more urgent would cross me off his list.
I waited at my computer, file of questions open, land line phone by my side- charged and ready to go- when Tarrah phoned me on my cell at 1:10 pm…”Hi Betsy, we are running 10-15 mins behind today.” “That’s perfectly fine. I’m here and ready for his call, no problem,” I said relieved he was still planning to call. Then my phone rang just 10 mins later…
“Hi Mayor Emanuel…thank you for calling and finding some time to talk to me today. I’m writing a profile of you for Triathlete magazine.” Okay…”How did you find your way to triathlon?” There we were….his familiar voice was loud and clear on the other end of the phone. It was like I knew him, but I didn’t. Conversing with him was totally different then hearing snipets of him speaking on the news.
I learned a lot about the Mayor in a short 15 min. interview. I learned about his passion for swimming, his daily discipline toward his coveted workout schedule (7 days a week!), his love for his wife and family, his devotion to the City and his competitive nature (and sarcastic twists)- all qualities that have propelled him to success and leadership throughout his career. From White House Chief of Staff to Mayor of one of the largest cities…In a way at the end of our conversation when I asked him if he planned to do the Chicago Tri again this year, he said he hopes to- he’d like to, but his schedule is not his own- I felt a bit sad for him. He’s lost a bit of his freedom with his political office; with giving so much of himself. In his life as a public servant, he’s schedule is not his own – even on a Sunday morning.
When I asked him about his bike lane and rack initiatives in Chicago – his voice became a little more tense as he put on his mayor hat – “I want to make this a very bike friendly city…” He is no doubt passionate about Chicago.
“Thank you, Mayor, for your time. I appreciate it. Have a great day.” “Thank you…”he said.
Read more details of my interview in the May 2012 issue of Triathlete magazine! Mayor Emauel is a triathlete in every sense of the word!
