When Scottish sprinter Libby Clegg steps out to compete at Hampden in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow I will be by her side.

For the past three years I've been her eyes as she has taken on some of the top athletes in the world in her events, the T12 100m and 200m, including when she won silver at the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Libby, 23, suffers from the deteriorating eye condition Stargardt Macular Dystrophy, giving her only slight peripheral vision on her left side. She is registered blind. When we run we are linked by a guide rope. We have to be in sync, with the same stride patterns and our arms moving together. Timing is crucial. Her destiny is in my hands.

I have competed in athletics since a young age and was inspired to become a guide runner after watching my stepfather Lincoln Asquith, himself a former junior European champion, as he ran with Libby when she won silver in the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing. When he retired, I jumped at the chance to follow in his footsteps. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but my motto is: "Love what you do, do what you love."

On the whole Libby and I have a great relationship on and off the track. I need to know if she is happy or unhappy, whether to offer support or step away and give her space. In a professional relationship, just like any personal one, there has to be respect, trust and communication. I need to know what makes her tick - and vice versa.

Honesty is crucial. Neither of us can be afraid of saying something that might offend the other. There have been occasions where we've had a disagreement but stepping on to the track we've put our professional hats on, got the job done, then talked afterwards. It is rare that we do argue, though.

Competing at the 2012 Paralympics in London was incredible. As we walked out to the start line my legs were shaking but I had to pretend to Libby I wasn't nervous. I needed to seem as calm as possible so it didn't affect her. When they announced our names we gave each other a high five and in that moment I knew we were going to go out there and run the best race we could.

Libby was among the first 27 athletes to confirm her place in Team Scotland last year. Although I was born and bred in Birmingham I'm excited about being part of the Scottish team. I've found out I will have to wear a kilt at the Commonwealth Games. I see it as embracing the Scottish culture and I'm looking forward to that.

We did sit down and talk about it because Libby wanted to know how I felt, but I've never thought about it as being a negative. I know how important it is to Libby to run in Scotland colours and that makes it a big thing for me too. She's joked that she is going to get me a pair of Loch Ness monster boxing shorts to wear under my kilt.

In both our minds there can only be one outcome in Glasgow. Libby is tired of getting silver and I'm tired of her being in that situation. I know that with the commitment and hard work we have been putting in we are going for that gold medal.

I've never competed in a Commonwealth Games before and for it to be in Scotland, with Libby's heritage, is even better. It will be a different experience to London, but every bit as exciting.

SUSAN SWARBRICK