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Click to view neverenough's profile Pro 159 posts since
Nov 5, 2006

Jul 29, 2007 4:42 PM

Careful about overtraining

My training has been phenomenal lately, last year I was struggling with injuries at 40 mpw, and now I'm at 55 and almost injury free. My training pace has also been dropping.

As I'm really pushing the mileage I want to be sure I'm getting enough recovery. Today I feel pretty sore but I'm planning on doing a 13 mile run. I always try to take plenty of easy days when I'm feeling tired, and push it when I feel good. But how will I know if I'm not getting enough recovery?

Like today, I can feel my legs are pretty sore, but today is my long run. My question is how do I know what the beginnings of overtraining feels like? Do only people who run hard every single day overtrain, or can you overtrain even if you're careful to take several easy days a week?
Click to view Girl In Motion's profile Legend 253 posts since
Feb 4, 2007
1. Jul 29, 2007 5:09 PM in response to: neverenough
One way is checking your heart rate - elevated heart rate can be a symptom of overtraining.
Click to view chumsae's profile Legend 233 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
2. Jul 29, 2007 8:00 PM in response to: neverenough
I'm in the same situation as you, i'm currently doing around 50-55 mpw to prepare myself for college XC, and i only did about 40 mpw up until a couple months ago.

A 13 mile run is a pretty deisel run for 55 mpw, and i assume this is the longest run you'll be doing all week. If i were you, and i felt a little overworked, just take it easy today and run 6-7 and hold off on the long run till you feel a bit better.
Click to view runawayjesse's profile Legend 538 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
3. Jul 29, 2007 8:28 PM in response to: neverenough
Usually for me it's when I start to dread my runs. if I start to suspect overtraining(kinda like you are)usually I will finish off the next scheduled workout or maybe the week than plan a full blown easy week. I go real easy on volume during the recovery week and I'll plan a race at weeks end. By midweek usually I'm getting itchy feet and the race helps me to 'want to stay fresh" so I'll contune with light training. Without the race as a motovator sometimes I jump the gun and I'm flat again within a few days. It's great going into a race all fresh and feeling fit. Even though you don't push it in the race usually the feeling of finishing strong is enough to ensure that you did the right thing. Than it's back to work.