I like to fancy myself a runner. I am not winning any races, or training with Tiffin University or anything, but I am training for some considerable distance runs. I couldn't believe the coincidence when I saw a letter complaining about the new sidewalks on Miami Street. It's a coincidence because yesterday I was running on Miami Street. I follow the law and go against traffic, as far on the edge of the shoulder as possible. A pickup truck came at me, riding the shoulder. He didn't move and I had to jump off the shoulder into the ditch to avoid being struck.
I always try to stick to sidewalks, but when you're training for distance, you just can't find 10-20 miles of sidewalk in a row.
I am so tired of getting dirty looks from drivers when I am doing nothing wrong, and the drivers who think they're funny, swerving over to pretend they're going to hit me. Not to mention the bike riders who ride on the sidewalk and don't think traffic laws apply to them.
It's not just "some TU students," it's huge groups of them, and other runners like myself who should be able to be safe while exercising. I am surprised a physical education teacher would oppose that.
Stephanie Osborn, Tiffin
