Irony: The state of amusement that comes from the contrast of a situation with the surroundings of that situation. (Riordan Dictionary)

So I decided to go running this morning. It was cold (26 degrees), but I figured that I would stay warm enough if I ran. I like running outside, and I tend to go 1-3 miles further outside than I do on the treadmill. So, out I went with my iPod for company, playing Christmas music.

Everything was fine, and just shy of one mile in, while running up a hill, I felt my foot slip a little on some ice. It was a good warning, so I decided I’d need to keep away from the edge of the road where water runs and can freeze. I’d also have to keep an eye out for ice in general. I trotted on.

Just over one mile in, I was going down a hill. I noticed a slight discoloration in the road. Just as my right foot hit it. I had a brief thought of “that’s ice” before I went down really hard. Happily, I twisted as I fell, and caught most of the fall with my hands, although I did slide a little on my right leg, as you can see. The great part of all this – the song playing on the iPod was “White Christmas.” The irony was not lost on me.

I hobbled back home, and decided my new cut-off for running outside is 32 degrees. As I got back, Paula Radcliffe (a British marathoner) congratulated me via my iPod on achieving a new personal best in the mile. Maybe sliding down the hill helped my speed!