When I was in super condition, just getting ready for a workout would cause my HR to jump up in anticipation of the workout. Even walking my bike out the door and my HR would be >180% of my resting.

The telling sign for over training and lack of base conditioning is the time it takes your HR to return to resting rate after you stop working out. If you over train, it takes longer to return. If you don't have the base, it takes longer to return.