Trivia: What marathon has produced the most sub-2:20 performances?
POSITIVELY ADDICTED. I'm 51 years old. I know what you're thinking. It's normal to stereotype, to pin surface impression on a number. If you're younger, I'm mysterious, experienced, middle-aged, old. I'm as old as your parents, those people with all the answers, money and nurturing qualities. If younger, you're impressed if I work out regularly and think young while maintaining a mature distance.

Those about my age are yawning and going, "Big deal, you're 51. What's the point?" If older, you're thinking, "Been there, done that," and feeling a bit of envy. We'd all like to be younger without forfeiting a lifetime of memories.

I ran 415 miles, cycled 5,175 miles and only missed 13 days of exercising in '03. When I was 21, numbers like these weren't put up by many my father's age. I said I would but had no way of knowing I'd sustain an interest in running and more recently, cycling, 30 years later. Among those I started with, I'm a rare survivor. There's small pleasure in keeping on, a reverse smugness with a dose of wonder.

The worn phrases, "Age is just a number," and, "You're only as old as you feel," ring true with me. My hair has gone gray, I weigh a little more and am several steps slower, but the spirit's still willing. Running and cycling help me forget my age in some ways and remind in others I'm all of 51. I pay more attention to the reminders at 51 than 21. What hasn't changed is I see the reminders as guides, not limitations.

A heartening number now swell my age group and are busy redefining how we used to think about aging and athletics. More and more people are finding that an unexamined life isn't appealing. Somehow, everything seems better after we earn a sweat. Sweat's value isn't always obvious, but few would argue the accumulated benefits. I'm 51 years old. Things are good.

LEAVING A TIP. I found the following training tips on the Dead Runners Society internet site in December. I apologize for neglecting to record the author's name. There's nothing special or unique about the tips, but, collectively, they make a nice framework for productive running.

1. Endurance before strength before speed.

2. Some form of speedwork throughout the entire training cycle.

3. Stay off concrete and asphalt as much as possible.

4. Be as consistent as possible in your training. If you can't run, cross-train.

5. Negative-split training and negative-split racing.

6. Easy days easy and hard days hard.

7. Back off on intensity every 3-4 weeks.

8. Don't use Mother Nature or your environment as an excuse to skip training.

9. Focus, determination, confidence, patience.

10. Smile a lot, laugh hard, don't leave a trail of smelly, questionable or undesirable actions in your wake.

One from me:

11. A positive attitude will yield the most satisfying results and overcome a rainbow of inhibitions.

I'm guessing most reaction will come from #8. Yes, sometimes weather can be a huge obstacle, but too many use it too often as an alibi. And, yes, occasionally weather is clearly a deterrent. Gentle runners, use your best judgment about heat, snow, ice and darkness.

AN EXTRAORDINARY JOE. In December I learned new Runner's World editor David Willey had inexplicably decided to drop Joe Henderson as a columnist. Joe's last column will be in the March issue. I was so dumbfounded by the news, it took me several days to collect my thoughts. Here's some of the letter I sent Mr. Willey.

"I regard Joe as the best of role models and can't, for the life of me, imagine your rationale to let him go from a publication he's been such an integral part of for so long. He's never failed to illuminate, inspire and lend perspective to many running issues in his newsletter, magazine pieces and numerous books.

"His influence includes clinic and running-camp audiences, plus several years as a college writing and introductory running instructor. His resume and supporters are second to none in the running business. His insight into all things running is enviable and respected by runners of all abilities.

"Joe's always worked hard to make running writing look easy. I feel confident saying he's positively touched more runners than any other running writer."

Hal Higdon, one of the few running writers whose longevity exceeds Joe's, wondered about the wisdom of the decision in a mid-January RW Daily online piece: "Joe Henderson's vanishing from the pages of Runner's World certainly marks the passing of an era. Joe became Dr. George Sheehan's editor/collaborator, contributing further to our love of running even beyond his columns.

"Change is inevitable, but those of us who've read Joe's articles and books over the years feel sad that his link to RW apparently now has been severed."

After 33 years with Runner's World, Joe's schedule remains full. He won't be without a writing job for long. Beginning in the fall, Joe can be found writing a column for Marathon & Beyond.

Among his final thoughts is, "My job as a columnist for Runner's World lasted much longer than I ever thought it would. But I knew it would end someday. This may not be a good time -- could there ever have been a good time? -- but I accept it and prepare to move on to whatever comes next."

Fans can readily access the latest from Joe at joehenderson.com.

Answer: Fukuoka in Japan has seen 2:20 broken 967 times through 2003. It's a men's-only race. (Thanks to Ken Young and the ADR for data help.)