It doesn’t matter where I finish in the half-marathon – I know I’m a winner

LAST year, mum-of-two Simone Charnock felt she was in the shape of her life.

The keen runner was doing well in local races and even set a personal best in the Great Scottish Run’s half-marathon.

But just weeks later – on her wedding anniversary – Simone was told she had a “nasty” cancer and feared not seeing her son and daughter grow up.

“The only reason it was picked up on is because I happened to mention my bowel habits had changed while I was at a GP appointment for my wee boy, Ruaridh,” explained Simone, who lives in Lochgilphead with husband Stuart.

She was sent for tests including a colonoscopy and, on November 21, was told she had cancer.

A polyp had been found with venous intervention, meaning the cancer had the potential to travel through Simone’s blood system.

The 34-year-old couldn’t help but think the worst.

“My mum had cancer of the placenta and died from leukaemia,” she explained.

“My gran had bowel cancer, as did three of her siblings, and my aunt has had two bouts of the disease.

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“I kept thinking I wasn’t going to see my kids – Abby, who is seven, and five-year-old Ruaridh – grow up.”

The stress and worry led Simone to have panic attacks.

“It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before but I felt like I couldn’t breathe every time I tried to go out running.

“Running is my stress release but it’s also when I do a lot of thinking. When you’re busy at home you tend not to think about things, but when I tried to run everything went through my head, like imagining saying goodbye to everyone.”

Ruaridh had an operation in February and, once he was recovered, Simone went in for bowel resection surgery the following month. “Ten days later I was phoned with my pathology results and there was no further cancer,” continued Simone, who didn’t require chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

“I was told I have a 95% chance of seeing the next five years, but it does still play on my mind occasionally.

“My aunt had two polyps in two years, so that’s at the back of my head.”

Simone has returned to her part-time job at the local housing association and has also pulled her running shoes back on.

She’ll take part in the half-marathon at the Great Scottish Run again this year, but this time it’s not about smashing her personal best.

“Last year I wanted to do really well but that’s not the reason this time – it’s to motivate me and help me get better and fit again.

“Stuart says it’s amazing that I’m doing a half-marathon less than a year after cancer and I know crossing the finishing line, with my family all there, will be emotional.

“Regardless of when I finish, I know I’ve still won.”

The Bank of Scotland Great Scottish Run takes place next Saturday and Sunday (Sept 30 and Oct 1).

The 10k and half-marathon races take place on the Sunday, while Super Saturday offers a range of events to accommodate families and children. For more information and to sign up, visit greatscottishrun.com