Athletics: Miller puts poor 100m hurdles effort down to recent injury

New Zealand hurdler Andrea Miller rues an injury sustained a month ago as she went into the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Berlin.

Miller failed to fire finishing sixth in the first heat in 13.83s, well outside her New Zealand national record of 13.10s.

Dawn Harper of USA won the heat in 12.70s.

Miller said she came into the championships with a goal in mind.

"I was looking to break that 13 second mark, I've been hanging around the 13.10s all winter, so that's what was in the head, but obviously it didn't fire today." The 27-year-old said her preparations for the championships had been hampered by an injury.

"I injured my back quite badly in Serbia, and the last month has been pretty up and down, as proven as an understatement," said Miller.

The four times New Zealand champion and bronze medallist at the World University Games in Serbia last month said she thought that she was over the injury.

"I was feeling like I'd finally got the back moving again, but I think obviously over the past month, I've lost quite a bit of fitness which is an absolute shame because I was in really good condition, but it is one of those things, I couldn't predict the injury."

"The run was pretty smooth, I was just missing that fire, because over the last month I've really not been able to train - probably done two hurdles sessions, so it's been really disappointing." Miller said it was now back to New Zealand to spend more time with her family.

"I want to then train on the Gold Coast with the Aussies and get myself ready for the Commonwealths next year, I'm looking for a podium finish there."Murray McKinnon