Can you tell when you are in a catabolic state?
 

Is it possible to tell when your body is in a catabolic process/state?

Recently, I've been doing a ton of cardio (running) and not keeping up with my intake of food. This has resulted in really sore and tender-to-the-touch biceps and triceps. I'm wondering if my body is in a catabolic state and not getting enough food to build muscle. My running is consisting of 40-60 minutes 3/week. This past weekend I went out for a 10-mile run and felt pretty good, but probably didn't eat enough that day.

Are these signs of being catabolic?

If you are hungry you are in a catabolic state.

for real...no bullshit?

That's a very big generalization. For a normal person with out diabetes and a weight problem, yes a little bit. But this could also be just a mental thing.
Also, if you are cutting, your body is in a fat burning state, I wouldn't consider that catabolic because your stomach is some what empty, you are a little hungry but you are burning fat and using that as energy.

There is a big difference in being a little hungry from dieting which you should hardly be if you are doing it right vs. actually being hungry as D M S described since he was not eating. However you are either anabolic or catabolic, there is no middle ground so for all intent and purpose if you are hungry you are catabolic. That is why when dieting you really have to watch it or you will simply waste muscle which is what most people with poor diets do.