Posted By Nathan Customer Service Rep Zach Miller, the nicest guy in the room - always!

Running is my passion. It truly is a blessing not only writing about my affinity for running, but also being able to live this passion each day in the wake of the tragedy in Boston. Experiencing this horrific event and feeling the earth tremor sitting two blocks away in a taxi, has given me a new perspective on running and life.

I always enjoyed being active and playing sports growing up. One of my favorite sports was soccer and I can vividly recall racing up the left side of the soccer field looking to cross the ball to a waiting teammate. The pure feeling of running free in the open field is something I fell in love with in elementary school. Little did I know at the time that running would be a large part of my life as an endurance athlete. Soon I was running cross country as a sophomore in high school and found out I not only enjoyed the sport, but was able to experience some success too. By senior year I was running year round and planning on pursuing my athletic endeavors as a student-athlete at Widener University.

Seven years after graduating and I'm juggling working a full-time job, being a full-time husband (doggy dad too), and still running competitively. So what is it that motivates me? The breeze in my face and becoming "one"¬ù with nature on a desolate trail in the mountains is a thrill for me. The myriad of health benefits and endorphin release is sweet too. Pushing my potential and wanting more out of my body is another reason I run, but ultimately it comes down to having a sense of purpose with each step and getting enjoyment out of it, honoring God with the ability I've been blessed with. I love competing and sharing this joy of running with my friends, whether elite or novice, fast or slow marathoner or first-time 5k runner. I'm inspired by each and every person pushing their limits and giving their best effort.

I have had the pleasure of running for special coaches over the years that have had a tremendous impact on my life. I enjoyed running for them and always wanted to perform at a high level to live up to the bar I had set for myself, but also to make them proud and hopefully fulfill their dreams for me. They've instilled in me the importance of sacrifice, commitment, and hard work, while striving towards a specific and tangible goal. Without a goal, discipline is nothing but self-punishment. Having great coaches as mentors in my life over the years makes me think about how I can give back to the sport and community that I embrace.

Coaches have an awesome opportunity to encourage and inspire today's youth. Helping mold young people into responsible, mature adults is a vital part of coaching. I've had the privilege of coaching a couple friends as well as volunteering with a local elementary cross country team. It's amazing how good it feels to help someone accomplish their goals with simply providing a little bit of insight. Naturally, you cannot do the work for another athlete, but only offer your advice and experiences as a roadmap. As a coach, you feel very much connected to the athlete. One of the greatest feelings in the world is watching someone else fulfill their dreams. The consistency, dedication and perseverance pays off. In my experiences, when I underperform, but an athlete I'm coaching runs a new personal best, it really takes the sting out of the disappointment. Focusing on someone else's well-being and taking less time to overanalyze your own shortcomings can be a very refreshing feeling and actually contribute to not only better running, but a healthier and happier life.

With the vivid reminder that life is fragile and fleeting in Boston, reaffirms my feelings to live each day to the fullest. As a competitor I have always hated losing. I've always been my harshest critic when it comes to a bad workout or poor race performance and having to deal with the agony of defeat. Just knowing how hard I worked- falling short is humbling; now winning or losing seems so trivial after the Boston tragedy.The winners are those who are busting their hump and putting one foot in front of the other, the folks who are grinding out the miles after a long day at work, or the early-birds who are up before sunrise logging a run in frigid temps. It is important to have the proper perspective on running and remember that it truly is a gift.