Like for any new college graduate, the real world was quite a shock for Neville Miller.

Miller

Even though he was a volunteer assistant coach with the Missouri track team, Miller was on his own for the most part when it came to running.

"In the past, I was used to the coach doing everything and just all I do is show up on the bus and run the races I’m supposed to run and that’s it," said Miller, who serves as the weekend meteorologist at KMIZ-TV.

As a post-collegiate runner Miller is often in charge of organizing his own running schedule and meet management - things he never had to deal with while running for the Tigers from 2001-06.

But life after college has proved successful for Miller as he prepares for his third U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week in Indianapolis. Miller is looking to improve on his semifinal showing in the 800-meter run last year when the preliminary heats begin tomorrow.

"I just really want to make the final," Miller said. "I want to make the final and do well."

Miller competes for the New York Athletic Club and will have several familiar faces alongside. Former Tigers Derrick Peterson and Timothy Dunne, along with MU senior Marcus Mayes, will be in Indianapolis running the 800. Dunne also competes for the New York Athletic Club.

"Just having guys you can goof around with kind of takes your mind off, ‘Oh, I’m out here with the Olympians,’ " Miller said. "It’s just, ‘I’m running another track meet and having fun.’ "

While his semifinal appearance last year was a big step for him, he finished 14th after running 1.65 seconds slower in the semis than in his prelim.

This year, Miller enters the national meet riding the success of his qualifying run at the Drake Relays at the end of April. There, Miller finished fourth in the open 800 and was the highest finishing American runner. His time of 1:47.44 was a career-best and guaranteed him a spot in this week’s meet. He also finished five places above Peterson, who is also an assistant coach at MU and competed in the 2004 Olympics.

"I think it was great what Neville has accomplished as a runner in the last few years," Peterson said after the Drake Relays. "He’s kept knocking on the door of being an elite-level athlete, and I think he is well on his way. Showing well with this type of field and going out and racing like he did, it says a lot about his development. It’s been great to train with him and see him grow as an athlete. I’m blessed to be one of his training partners."

By Miller’s count, it was only the second or third time he’s bettered Peterson in a race. Miller said Peterson has helped him become not only a better runner but also a better racer.

"He’s been everywhere and to the top, so he’s really provided me with a lot of advice and stuff just because he just knows stuff about training or stuff about competition, just how to run or what helped him make it through and helped him obviously get to the Olympics," Miller said. "He’s definitely been great in helping me along."

Miller seems to be doing pretty well out on his own.

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