), and take a rest when I need one. I've had two chest infections which knocked me out for more than two weeks, both after races, and I feel more tired than normal. I'm concerned I may be overtrained. Should I take this complete break or just cut back? What

This week's question comes from a forum member whose event schedule is looking a bit crowded..."I'm doing the Edinburgh Marathon on 27 May. It's my first marathon, and the training is going OK, though I had two weeks off due to injury. I've got it in my head that I want to do the...

. – Johnny JHow weighty are your weights?It depends on what strength training you do. An hour with toning weights isn't the same as a hardcore back session. A big back day will leave you on your knees. No way is that rest. It's dead easy to overtrain. – Stump

need to build up slowly and gradually, and it might be best to remove speedwork from whatver marathon training schedule you use. No point risking overtraining or injury. I was doing 1x25 and 4x15 miles a week buiding up to a triple ironman recently

with you, and don't push it too hard.– Mike Saunders(Note from Jane: asthma is no bar to running, if Paula Radcliffe is anything to go by! Click here to find out what she told us about controlling her asthma back in September)Encourage him, but don't overdo