I have gone back and forth with writing this article...but I have decided to go ahead with it. I truly do not mean to offend, but am just going to tell how I feel.

Last week my sister, a good friend, and I decided to take a run at the fabulous (and very under-used) Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park. On the weekends, we like to get away from our normal (yet loved) digs of Broad Ripple and Meridian-Kessler for a change of pace and scenery. Ft. Ben. is one of our "familiar-unfamiliar" spots, and it is such a nice and uplifting place to go and pretty close to home. As I entered the park, I noticed a lot more cyclists than I have ever seen before. It made me happy to see the area used by new faces. As he passed me, a friendly male cyclist said "looking good; nice pace!" which I promptly replied with a smile, laugh and "Thanks!" Even though I really didn't feel so great at the time, it was very nice to hear.

About ten minutes later, all is good and I am loving life. I took a brief water break at a normal stop for me and I start back on my run. I happen to see a small group of cyclists coming towards me in the opposite direction. I don't think anything of it since the paved trail, which I have visited for many years, is extremely wide and very similar in the Monon Trail with no cars allowed. I naturally hang on the right side of the trail painted line...but honestly, since I am not on a real, car-going road, I don't think much about where I happen to run on this trail. But anyways, I am doing what (I think) I should be doing.

Back to the approaching group of cyclists, I was nowhere near them or making them need to swerve to pass me. As they pass, a certain male YELLED at me "You are on the wrong side!"....I looked at him a tad confused (as he passes going 30 MPH) and heard him tag on "Dumb-a--" (a rear end; you get it I am sure)...followed by his buddies of both sexes laughing hysterically. Wow...I was shocked! Here I am trying to get in some exercise, just like him, on a gorgeous day in a lovely park. Maybe I was running to relieve stress, or to think about the two family members that I lost in the past year, or to just get away from the odds and ends of life. Did he happen to consider that before he thought to degrade me? Although I was upset and offended, I told myself not to let it destroy the rest of my run. I realized that he is probably not a very happy person, I so forgave him.

I get it; I get it. The trails have rules, just as the roads have rules. GOT IT. And after I ran for 10 more minutes, I saw the painted markings on the trail; one side had a pedestrian symbol, the other had a bike. So, after all...he was "right", but then again he wasn't. Trails such as these are made primarily for families and friendly park-goers. Kids will explore, pets will veer around and people will tend to cross that line from time to time. But that doesn't give one the right to cross the line into cursing at another person making an honest mistake that was causing no harm. This is not nearly the first time I have witnessed this type of behavior and it is a shame. If you would like to ride at a speed that is rather dangerous to others, you might consider not doing so in a park full of many potential "obstacles" that would (god forbid) make you have to brake for a fraction of a second.

I have learned from my mistake and will make sure that at each park, I will check the rules of the road. They are different everywhere, and learning them may help to prevent you from being scolded while trying to get outdoors and exercise.