How do you know if you're running too much?

[Paula]

Not sure if running so many miles is helping my training. I started my training for NY marathon 5 weeks ago and had built up to about 50-miles, but bombed the 1/2 marathon. Last year I did the Manchester marathon with only a few miles on my sneakers and if I remember correctly one long day of 14-miles yet ran a 3:38 followed by a 3:34 about 12-weeks later with general running, no speed stuff, pick-ups or anything and more elliptical sessions. What gives?????

[Eric Mauricette]

I don't think its running to much, but what your doing for running like miles and workouts. Correct me if i'm wrong Paula, but your running 14 miles as your long run? maybe longer? It may be time to shorten those, and just go easy during the week for like 2 weeks(maybe less). No workouts, just easy and fun running. Don't worry about time.

Kind of refresh your step a little. Working your body hard for a considerable length of time is hard and someitmes your body just needs a rest. Happened to me today...after running some long easy miles and a good tempo over the last week i just felt drained today, so i went out for an easy 5 miles and felt fine and refreshed afterwords...sometimes it just takes that. Just my 2 cents..