Well, I'm overtrained or at least, as Pfitz calls it, over reached. Last night I struggled to get to 8 miles. Here's the full story. http://www.runningahead.com/forums/topic/d4d26039c4da4fb8a1faeb50fb4edec2 ugh

Mr. I - I think we might be in similar situations. Although I don't have as much quality in my plan, I definitely felt "off" the last week or so. Tossing in that 5k on Saturday probably about finished me off. The last week I've had no motivation, not as much energy and various parts of my legs have started complaining a little. After taking Sunday off, and only running 3 really easy miles on Monday, yesterday felt much better. I've decided to try and get back around 30-32 miles this week, and be ready for next week to be a good one. Luckily, I'm only planning on 12-14 miles this Saturday, so I'm hoping my 2nd 20 next Saturday will go well. I chalk it all up to this being my first time through a marathon plan, and my first time running this many miles. We definitely differ on the need for quality in a plan. You're preparing for your first marathon as well, right? In my head, I still think I have tons of room for improvement without running too many fast workouts. Just building volume should help. Either way, we're probably both learning a bunch about getting ready for a marathon and how our bodies handle the added stress. Just think how easy it will be next time! Good luck getting back to "normal". As if anyone preparing to run 26.2 can be considered normal.

Inertia, My first overtraining symptoms are always a couple of nights of restless sleep and a little grumpiness. I think it only takes about a week of too much and boom your nursing some injury or your sick. I struggle with fatigue not hitting until two days after a hard-workout. I've tried really watching pace and that was not enough rest. It looked like you were trying to make-up for a missed workout and maybe it's best to just always let it go. I think Marcus gave you the best advice. P2R, thanks for the bananas. I needed them. Do you log your rest heatrate every morning? Brian, you're doing great.

Bugs: I take a quasi reading in the morning. Once the Garmin has locked in I'll sit and see what the hrm deadfalls to. Usually it's around 55bpm. When I feel rested it sometimes falls into the upper 40's. 8-miles easy Wednesday after a rest day Tuesday. Best weather for the week is today!

Second day of rest and I'm restless to go out and nail a workout. Must...be...patient. I'll finish today as a day of rest, hit 6-8 tomorrow and see what kind of long run that gives me on Saturday.

Sounds like we are a big group of overreachers. My legs were pretty tired yesterday, I hope they cooperate for tonight's run. Inertia, this two days off will make a big difference. P2R, I am seriously thinking about Des Moines. More and more I want to run a fall marathon, just need to get some good runs in and get my mind feeling better about running. Shan, injury is really stressful, and I think when you're bouncing back from one it puts a whole new psychological stress into the equation. That is why I was concerned about you signing up for a half, may be more pressure than you need right now. Think you are smart to listen to your body and rest when you need to rest. Spent last night just straightening up the house and trying to feel like my life has some order to it. My carpet in the basement still looks spotie but at least it is vacumed.

Shan, you will be fine. Remember we're zen runners right?

Shan, yes you can have a plan. Did you look at any of Hal Higdon's plans. I swear for most ordinary humans his plans seems to work the best. I am switching to one of his plans. 7.75 miles tonight. Stopped at the store to get a chocolate milk for recovery drink, walking out of the store took a big swig....YUCK...sour expired milk. Then it started to rain; got that run in just in time. Suppose to snow tonight but it will melt anyway.

Oh Inertia I can so relate. With my 1st I was so careful, no problems. 2nd I felt so much pressure to beat my time and I got hurt. With my 3rd I thought I had a good enough base from the 2nd that I'd be fine, felt more pressure to beat my time, and got hurt again. I was in the best shape 2006 my first year of running where I added miles slowly, ran without a watch, and didn't race my long runs. Makes me wonder how many times I will have to mess-up before I learn my lesson. Think that is why I want to run Des Moines without a time goal. Good news we both got lucky, no injuries. You got tired legs, and I got sick. Much easier to recover from than an injury.