Does this sound like I'm reading my body right??

Last week, I cross trained REALLY hard, everyday except for Friday, in order to gear up for my first 10+K run, which I did on Saturday. Swam 1/2 mile on Sunday thinking it would loosen up my achey quads and glutes, which it did. Rest day on Monday, then hard Cardio Tues (bike on hilly route for 7 miles), Wed (eliptical at level 5/6). I  noticed on Wednesday, my legs were a bit tired on the eliptical, and my distance was slightly down. Nothing major, but not as strong as usual.

I plan to do another 10+K this Saturday, same route, to get a second reading of my time and get an average reference point. So, I will be resting Friday, maybe just some gentle stretching. Today I just did weights, not wanting to over exert my legs.

So, with all that spewed out, I am wondering why I was slower on my Wed. eliptical workout...diet was fine...so is it possible I was still recovering from my first long run?


Thanks for input!
Kathy

Some days you just don't have it. I feel that it is usually better to go into a race with a few extra days off as opposed to a few extra hard runs. It sounds like your body was just a little tired. How was your sleep. That can be another factor.

Thanks Scott.
 
Sleep has sucked. One of those weeks where the eyes close, but the brain keeps working! I just get freaked that maybe I have "peaked" lol, which I know is ridiculous, I've only just begun!

Resting today, after gentle stretching in jacuzzi (not a bad way to spend a Friday!)

Thanks again!
Kathy

Yeah, it's usually better to layoff the week before your event than to hit it hard. For one thing, it takes about 2 weeks to see the fitness gains from a hard workout so anything you do the week of a race isn't going to improve your race fitness. But it could sap your energy and give you tired legs.