Running along the neighborhood streets with Riley this past weekend, the sight of sandbag and clay dikes were strikingly similar to spring 2009.
The Red River's floodwaters - 4 feet lower than a year ago - were awfully close to homes.
Seeing the river so close to homes helped put into perspective what we went through last year.
Since then, there's been lots of talk about a solution to the nearly annual threat of flooding. The discussions have mostly focused on a diversion, which will be the focus of a lot of talk this week as city and county boards look to move forward with permanent flood control.
After a longer week than normal in the office, the river proved to be the best way to disassociate from the discomfort of a long run.
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So, instead of embracing the pain, my plan was to block it out.
Thoughts turned to coming up with running's version of a diversion. Nothing clicked.
My mind wandered and again I attempted to come up with an analogy.
No luck.
And then late in the run, with just a few miles to go, it became clear.
Running is life's diversion.
When the stresses and demands of life become too great, it's running that offers up a release.
It's not always easy to keep running in perspective.
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Sometimes we're so focused on reaching goals, logging miles or nursing aches and pains that it's easy to forget.
Last year, when flood fighting took every ounce of energy, it was impossible to slip on a pair of shoes for a few miles on the roads. I tried to run, and managed for a couple days, but soon found the fight consuming every part of me.
It took 10 days to find the energy and normalcy in my life to start up again. During that first run, I recall how thankful I felt just for the opportunity to run.
This year, my schedule was a little better, and I juggled responsibilities to find a way to run.
But I'm every bit as thankful to get out on the roads - for no reason other than a diversion from life.
Forum News Director Steve Wagner writes a running blog, which can be found at www.areavoices.com/runningspud .
He can be reached at (701) 241-5542 or swagner@forumcomm.com .
