Dr. Stephen Lesavich
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As I have written about before, I was a member of the AT&T Corporate Running Team when I was a software engineer at AT&T Bell Labs in Naperville, Illinois.
While I was a member of that running ream, I even had the opportunity to be the overall winner of a small road race.
On July 12, 1987, I ran the Chicago Distance Classic as part of the AT&T running team. Our running team won the team championship as the fastest 20K team.
As you can see in this picture, my time was 1:22:10. I had the slowest time on my team, and they did not spell my name correctly on the plaque. The spelled my name “Lesavish” instead of “Lesavich”
On that day, in that 20K race (12.4 miles) I beat Olympic Champion Frank Shorter.
Frank Shorter’s time was 1:25.07.
Frank Shorter was the Olympic Gold Medalist in the marathon race (26.2 miles) in 1972 in Munich and the Silver Medalist in the Montreal in 1976.
On that day in 1987, Frank just had a bad race that day and was near the end of his competitive career at the elite level.
In 2013, I was in San Diego to run the Rock-n-Roll half marathon (13.1 miles).
There were former Olympic runners at the autograph table.
Frank Shorter was one of them.
I walked to up Frank Shorter at the autograph table and said “I beat you in Chicago.”
We both laughed at my comment.
I chatted with Frank for about five minutes as I explained what I meant.
Mr. Shorter was very generous with his time that day as we chatted about running.
Frank gave me his autograph.
His words of encouragement were: “Run Well Steve.”
There are many times in our life when have a magical experience.
As a competitive runner, this was my magical experience.
On that day in 1987, my magical experience was to beat an Olympic Champion, Mr. Frank Shorter.
Here are three things I learned from that magical experience that day.
1. From the Starting Line We Each Run Our Own Race
When you are a runner, it’s about showing up and running your own race. You compete against both yourself the other runners who show up that day. IN YOUR OWN LIFE: You create your own magical situations every day no matter who shows up in it. Make it your own practice to create magical experiences every day in your own life.
2. You Have Good Races and Not So Good Races
I have had good races and not so good races. That contrast is part of the process. That is because the not-so-good races teach you just as much as the good ones. That day in 1987 was one of my good races. IN YOUR OWN LIFE: Understand you will have good days and challenging days and face adversity in your own life. Recognize and understand those contrasts.
3. Being In the Present Moment is Part of the Victory
When you are a runner, to compete against others your have to be confident in your own abilities and stay in the present moment. You have put in the time to train before you race. IN YOUR OWN LIFE: When you live in the present moment, you are empowered, alive and in full control of your own life.
By following these three simple steps you can create magic that generates a positive impact in your own life.
Out There on the Edge of Everything®…
Stephen Lesavich, PhD
Copyright © 2025 by Stephen Lesavich, PhD. All rights reserved.
Certified solution-focused life coach and experienced business coach.
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