Best wireless headphones coronavirus lockdown, it seems more people are running than ever before. This, of course, is great, but it's important to take time off to avoid overtraining.

that just doesn’t improve, Runner's World Head Coach, explains the warning signs of overtraining syndrome (OTS).

When running

signs you're overtraining
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1. Lack of progression

Despite increasing the quality and/or quantity of your training, your progression slows or reverses. You’re working harder in sessions that previously felt easy.

2. Injuries and niggles

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3. Muscle fatigue and slow recovery

A classic sign of OTS is taking significantly longer to recover from hard sessions.


In the mind

signs of overtraining
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4. Mood swings and sensitivity

Finding yourself regularly irritable and moody? This could be a sign you're overtraining.

5. Loss of motivation

Simply no longer enjoying your training, seeing running as a ‘chore’ and fearing your hard sessions

6. Less concentration, resilience and focus

Finding it harder to ‘tough it out’ in hard sessions or races.


Outside of running

signs you're overtraining
Sofie Delauw

7. Weight loss or gain

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8. Cravings

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9. Loss of appetite

An increase in adrenaline and noradrenaline triggered by overtraining can cause a loss of appetite.

10. Tiredness

Constant, or periods of extreme tiredness. A decreased ability to achieve a deep sleep phase, often indicated by an increase in movement during sleep is another sign.

11. Illness

Runners World Head Coach.

12. Loss of libido

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13. Blood deficiencies

Blood tests can reveal OTS markers such as a drop in ferritin (a protein that stores iron) and magnesium.

14. Heart rate

A rise in your resting heart rate on waking, or a consistent change while running at lactate threshold can indicate OTS.