Are we in the wrong?

Check your traffic codes. In NY state, if there's a sidewalk you're obligated to use it, but if you're a pedestrian on a street with no sidewalk the law actually directs you to face traffic just as you describe.

On top of that, I tend not to take advice from someone who goes out of their way to scream obscenities at complete strangers in public.

I always run in the streets, regardless of whether or not there is a sidewalk.  NJ doesn't believe in shoulders, so I'm usually hanging out IN traffic, forcing people to swerve around me a bit.  And yeah, every few runs I have someone pitch a fit about something, or squeeze me off the road... a good reason to face traffic and look out for yourself.  It's not ideal, but it's the best option.  I've gotten used to verbal harassment, doesn't usually phase me, sometimes I find it entertaining to see how worked up people get driving.  As far as legality, I haven't check NJ law, and even though I've been here <4 months, I've had many, many cops pass me and not say a word.

In the wrong?  Not a chance, in my book!

Yes, it is pretty sad.  I've had drivers shout at me b/c my presence made then miss an opportunity to make a turn onto the main street I was running up... there wasn't enough room for them to squeeze by a line of stopped cars to make a right on red... and even been cussed out for not saying "Hi" when someone shouted "Hi" at me.  And yes, I've used my middle finger a couple times...

No, a 1ft wide gravel shoulder is not a 'running path'.  Yes, the guy was a jerk, and and worse for being willing to endanger you (which is not cool even if you were wrong).

As someone said, whether you were legally wrong depends on state or local codes.   But running in the road against traffic is, I think, the generally accepted correct way to run amongst runners.

I don't generally run on roads big enough to have white lines on the side  On the roads I run, I stay closer to the middle then move over when I see a car coming (which is rare).  I'm more visible there, and the camber of the road is less severe.  Indeed, when I run early in the morning, I run right down the middle of the street.  Obviously, on a busy road this is not possible.

Chalk it up to an a hole.  You were doing what was safest for you (IMHO) and exactly what I do.

ETA as far as legality, I pass by cops here in LA all the time running against traffic and never been advised or told it was wrong

There are too many idiots in the world. Too many people who can't understand that laws are to create order and safety. Those people can only follow the laws to the T. They have no understanding. They are parrots. You have to avoid those people as best you can. They cannot understand that your first amendment rights come before any traffic rule. If people drove with complete consideration and yielding of others. There would be no need for many of our traffic signs. The big problem is that people have no love of others. They do not treat others as if they were themselves. So we have laws for them. Consider them mentally handicapped. They are actually walking dead.

 I have a difficult time whenever I run on a road. I do it often enough. Always face the traffic so you can see that idiot coming and bail out. There are too many who think it's cute to scare you...then they make a little mistake and ruin the rest of your life. 

 I avoid roads if I can. That is one attraction of trail running. Heck... being on the road is bad enough in a car. I know the guy who holds the senior record for marathons trains in a cemetery. I've run as much as 20 miles in a park that was only .6 miles long. Especially if you're going long and know you're going to have difficulty being alert, avoid roads. 

 As far as being right or wrong? I used to drive a cab at night. I could have gotten killed ten times a year. I'd stop at a blinking yellow light where the other direction was blinking red. My drunk customer would ask: "Gee... I didn't know we had to stop at blinking yellow lights?" I would point to the car driving through the intersection at 40 mph and say to the customer: "You can complain to the coroner all day long about having the right of way." 

I run in the bike lane going against traffic, just easier on the legs.  I watch for bikes and hop back on the sidewalk to get out of their way.

When it gets darker I just run on the sidewalk.  It is scary thinking that I ride in this same bike lane all the time and how often when running I see cars veer into the bike lane (easy to spot where, just look for the faded lines)

The reason I run on the sidewalk when it gets darker is that yes I have the "right" to be on the road but if a car can't see me and runs me over, who cares who is right or wrong I would be flat, so it comes down to common sense.  I try to use that whenever possible on the bike or run.

On quiet streets, I run a foot or two inside (in the lane) the white line, that way I've got room to move if someone gets close.  Most drivers swing as far towards the center or even cross partially into the oncoming lane when they pass me. 

On busy streets, I run on the sidewalk, still with a preference to run towards oncoming traffic. 

I've run into a few jerks in the area, but luckily not many. 

Maybe the road has a nasty camber. Getting hit by a car is way better than aggravating your ITB

It's all about safety for me.  Daytime, I run on the roads in my neighborhood.  We have streets wide enough for driving and parking on both sides, but no one parks there.

At night, I will run on the streets, but jump on the curb when I see a car coming.  I'm not sure if they see me, so better to be off the streets.

If there is a path, I tend to use it.

People are just A-holes.  But sometimes I thinks it's a reaction that they get when they almost hit someone and get scared.  A couple times, when I was running against traffic, someone will approach from a street on the left and want to make a right turn.  The will me looking over there left shoulder for traffic and NEVER look right.  I have almost been hit a couple times.  Both times they yelled or gestured at me for being in the wrong.  I think if they thought about it, they KNOW they should have looked, but in that instant, were mad at me for putting them in that position.  No excuse though.  I still wanted to put a rock through their back window...

I'm just kind of glad I'm 6'7" 230 and know how to fight.  I think I get a little less "comentary" from people.  Not sure why!