One of the planet's fastest runners, Inger Miller is an example of how perfect practice makes perfect as even the world's top athletes still have things they can learn.

The world champion in the 200-meter race, Miller said she looked at every competition before the International Amateur Athletic Federation World Outdoor Championships as a chance to use all the things she had learned from her coach, John Smith.

"You are hoping it comes together on that day (of the World Championships), especially for me since I was just learning a lot of the new things John was trying to teach me," Miller said. "From the indoor season all the way to the World Outdoor Championships was a learning process for me. So all that meets I ran prior to that, we were working on things. So it wasn't like I was going out there and just racing. I was racing, but I was practicing things I needed to do to look towards the World Championships."

The World Outdoor Championships were held in Seville, Spain, last August, and Miller's efforts paid off as she won the gold medal in the 200 meters by crossing the finish line in 21.77 seconds. She also was the second-place finisher in the 100 meters, winning the silver medal.

After her outstanding performance at those championships, Miller received the Jesse Owens Memorial Award last December. The award is presented by America's track and field organization, the USA Track and Field Association. The association gives the award to the best male and female track and field performers in the country.

Miller, who was born in Los Angeles and is 27 years old, trains with her coach, Smith, and a group of runners called the HSI team in California. Many of her teammates are men, including Maurice Greene who won the 100- and 200-meter events at the same World Championships. Greene also won the Jesse Owens Memorial Award.

"I trained by myself for years and years, and that took me to one point," Miller said. "But for me, moving to HSI has given me more confidence in my running, in my ability and in my training."

Training with men has made her a lot stronger, Miller said. "The group atmosphere gives you support and that confidence, and I think mentally it was a real big boost for me," she said. "Training with John Smith is exceptional and I can't believe how fast it has all come together for me."

The period of learning isn't over for Miller yet either. She is now preparing for the Olympic Games, which will be held in Sydney, Australia, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1. "I want to maintain what I have done and continue to learn and continue to perfect my races, and then put it all together for the Olympics," she said.