Nick Miller's doctor was straight with him.

"My blood pressure was 170 over 110," Miller said. "He was concerned I was going to have a stroke."

It's not the sort of news you want to hear on the near side of 30 years old.

Miller weighed more than 330 pounds, he wasn't sleeping and his vision was a bit off.

After that meeting with his doctor, on April 9, 2010, Miller committed to changing things.

"I was always the chubby kid, the fat kid and I had put on an additional 50 pounds," Miller said in an phone interview last week. "I had to start reclaiming my life."

It was then that Miller discovered running, and next month he'll take part in his most challenging effort yet, the Hartford Half Marathon, as part of the race's Elite Inspiration team.

Miller will be running to raise awareness for the Hartford Marathon Foundation.

"We are moved by the many amazing accomplishments and stories of our runners and are excited to highlight some of the incredible journeys that compel them to run," said Beth Shluger, founder and executive director of the Hartford Marathon Foundation. "The Elite Inspiration Team is a natural extension of our mission to motivate people toward healthy and active lifestyles and we welcome nominations to share the inspiring personal missions of our runners."

Born in Maine, Miller moved to Waterford when he was 15 and graduated from Waterford High in 1999. He then attended Plymouth State University in New Hampshire to study education, but did not finish college.

"I felt I needed to do a Jack Kerouac, 'On The Road' trip," Miller said.

After that, Miller joined AmeriCorps and was performing various community service jobs around the region.

In September, 2005 Miller, who had become a group leader at AmeriCorps, was sent to oversee a group

of young volunteers in New Orleans after Katrina.

"We help set up shelters and delivered supplies," Miller said. "There was really intense security at the time."

Miller lived in a middle school gymnasium with about 350 volunteers, sleeping on cots and subsisting on a modest living allowance.

"We had enough for toiletries," Miller said.

Miller also able to accrue financial credits to continue his education.

After about a year in Louisiana, Miller moved back to Connecticut and found work with a human services agency, which was a difficult transition for him.

It ultimately led to his weight gain.

"I became reclusive," Miller said. "I was shell-shocked about how different life was (in Connecticut)."

When Miller began his exercise regiment, almost instantly he knew he made a wise choice.

"It was invigorating," Miller said, on his way to losing 180 pounds.

What was harder, though, was how other people reacted.

"You lose your identity when you lose weight," Miller said. "When the pounds came off, there was some resistance from people. So many people look at you when you're one way."

Miller, who likes to run along Vauxhall Street and at Leery Park in Waterford, has run in local charity road races in the region and around the state.

And Miller has some pretty stark notions about people wishing to change their eating and exercise habits.

"Walking is not enough, taking the stairs is not a diet plan," Miller said. "Small effects are great, but if you are looking to make big change, a big gesture, you have to challenge yourself."

s.chupaska@theday.com