My run for this day could wait till tomorrow.

With four inches of snow on the ground, more snow falling, and bitter wind blinding my eyes to trees 50 feet distant, I checked the thermometer. Nine degrees. "Tomorrow," logic told me.

Tomorrow, nothing. Out came the lined nylon pants, two long-sleeve shirts and my windbreaker. Where were those gloves and stocking cap? Why put off till tomorrow what I could do today? Out I went.

I chose wooded trails to avoid sliding cars on the slippery roads. But I didn't cut short my run. It was only cool (!) at the tail end of my six-mile route.

While I ran, I thought mostly of two things:

* The white-forest beauty was breathtaking. The Huron River, snow-frosted evergreens, and deer, rabbit and coyote tracks filled my senses.

* How great it is to live and to run in Michigan: all four seasons.

We gripe about weather: too hot, cold or windy. It's raining, snowing. But runners aren't serious about grousing. Extremes give us bragging rights we wear like a badge of honor, akin to the "SPQR" ancient Romans stamped on their coins, buildings, even plumbing. "We're Romans!" they proclaimed. "We're Michigan runners!" we echo. "We're not wimps; we run outside."

The faint-of-heart may ask, "Did you run yesterday?" when the temperature was 90 degrees or there was half-foot of snow.

"You're nuts!" they reply to our, "Yes."

"Yes, of course," we grin.

Running through the seasons demands more than fortitude. It takes love for distinct joys of spring, summer, fall and winter. As one ends, we're eager to see the next one begin.

Winter's chill and ice evolve into the mud and wind of spring - to be followed by heat, sweat and bugs of summer. We say goodbye to the lovely snow for the budding flowers, then welcome the lush greens and fall-leaf colors before the cycle begins anew.

Picture your favorite running routes. Don't they look different from season to season? From winter hilltops of one of my favorite routes, I can see landmarks that are five and more miles away. When summer rolls around, that vista is gone, blocked by the canopy of shade trees that cool and refresh winding country roads.

Each season brings its own running scenarios - and anomalies. Isn't it great to pull out shorts and T-shirts on those rare January thaw days? This Jan. 2 and 3 I ran in summer dress, only to bundle up the next weekend for near-zero temperatures.

Driving home from my own run that frozen weekend, I came on a hardy soul running in shorts and a long-sleeve T-shirt. Only in Michigan - though he did wear a stocking cap.

Only a few days get red-letter treatment in my training log. Shorts and T-shirts in January and February count. So do the first days I see the thinnest veneer of ice on the lakes, buds on trees, and when bugs grow unbearable on the trails.

Sure, I find myself grumbling about summer's heat or how cold my hands and feet are in winter. But griping ends when I go to run, and the beauty of nature - whatever the season - comes pouring in.

Ron Marinucci can be reached by email at RMarin6424@aol.com.