When it gets colder and the few precious hours of daylight get squeezed between what seems like perpetual darkness, it can be hard to stay motivated to exercise.

So, I’ve been running 5k a day every day to combat the temptation to let the fitness regime hibernate until spring.

The goal is every day from December 1 until Christmas, part of the Advent Running challenge that takes place around the world where people as far afield as Scotland, England, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand encourage one another to just get out and run.

I’m now 22 days in and have just three to go.

By Christmas Day, I'll have done a little more than 80 miles, which is roughly the distance Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, but they had a donkey.

Glasgow Times:

Here are six things I have learned from pounding the pavements of Glasgow each day.

Glasgow has some super routes for running.

The River Clyde Walkway from Glasgow Harbour, Riverside Museum and SEC to Glasgow Green, out to Cunningar loop and beyond.

The Forth and Clyde Canal takes you away from the busy streets and cars, and into a bit of nature in the city.

You can go as short or as long as you like on the canal stretching from Bowling to the Kelpies with the Glasgow branch veering off at Stockingfield junction and the spectacular new bridge making it even easier.

The city’s abundance of parks are perfect for a short wellbeing boosting jog around the ponds and paths.

Glasgow Times:

Don’t run the same route every day.

You’ll quickly be bored out of your nut after the first few days. A bit like watching Nigel Farage on I’m a Celebrity. Mix it up, even take a bus or train somewhere to try a new route.

Don’t try to go fast every day, or you’ll be at greater risk of getting an injury.

Then you could end up being very active for a few weeks in December and out of action for months afterwards. A bit like Santa Claus.

I vary my pacing and don’t stick to the same speed. Run at what feels comfortable.

I don’t worry about going slow. If you’re running every day some runs, several actually, need to be slow, recovery runs to avoid injury through overuse.

Treat your senses.

I don’t always use earphones. Sometimes it’s good, to give you a little lift, to have your favourite tunes when you’re running.

But often it’s good to just be more aware of your surroundings and enjoy the sights, sounds and yes, even the smells of the city.

It’s never as cold as you think it is, even in Glasgow.

As Billy Connolly says: ‘There's no such thing as bad weather only the wrong clothes, so get yersel a sexy rain jacket’.

Once you get out there and start moving you soon warm up and you’ll be glad you managed to get your trainers on and step outside the door.

Running every day is habit-forming.

It can help with other positive lifestyle changes too like healthier eating, drinking less alcohol and drinking more water to keep hydrated and little decisions like fewer crisps or chocolate.

I noticed recently that I hadn’t had a bar of chocolate in many a week.

Now, it’s not unknown for me to demolish one of those big bars at my desk in no time.

Never mind 100 words per minute shorthand, I could have a nine squares-a-minute Bourneville certificate.

But recently, I’m more likely to be seen peeling a satsuma than unwrapping a Crème Egg.

While I am looking forward to completing the challenge on Christmas Day, and enjoying some Christmas pudding, I just know I’m going to have to stop myself from lacing up my running shoes on Boxing Day.

Note: The above is not coaching advice, just my observations. I am not a qualified running coach, just a guy who runs for fitness and fun.

If you want to take up running a good place is one of the many Couch-to-5K sessions that take place around the city.