Ho long Dose it take to get out of shape?

I would say that if you are able to cross train, and cross train everyday, it should not take you that long to get back into running shape. It depends on the person and depends on the quality/quantity of your cross training that will determine the time it would take you to get back to where you were. Also, when you do start running again, don't try to do too much too quick..that will just lead to more injuries or burn out.

First off, there are a lot of idiot doctors, so if you're serious about your running, you should get a second opinion.

But if you take off a month, you should do cross training. Even if you do that, you will still probably lose speed. What distances do you run?

As far as my experiences are concerned, I've had injuries in my time and if I took off a month, the outcome could have been from "no big deal" to "devastating." My forte are the middle-distances, and if I lost a month of training now, it would probably be no big deal, since my big races are far into next year. Focus on your strength and endurance if you decide to take that month off. Don't bulk up, whatever you do.

That depends entirely on where you were!

I've been in top shape and then got injured and took 3-4 weeks off and it took only 2 weeks to get back to where I was after that.

Part of it also depends on how old you are. Current research suggests that the older you are (between ages 40-60 if I remember correctly) the LONGER you retain gained fitness.

I would also take the doctor's advice with a grain of salt. I'm not a doctor and don't pretend to know more than they do, but with regard to MY OWN PERSONAL experience dealing with MY OWN BODY, it never takes as long to heal as the doctor suggests it might. This could be either:

1) The doctor is just being overly cautious so you don't blame him if you start too soon;

2) The doctor is a dumbass;

3) I have strength and regenerative powers beyond that of mortal men.

Anyway, good luck with your recovery.

Flagpole Willy wrote:

That depends entirely on where you were!

I've been in top shape and then got injured and took 3-4 weeks off and it took only 2 weeks to get back to where I was after that.

Part of it also depends on how old you are. Current research suggests that the older you are (between ages 40-60 if I remember correctly) the LONGER you retain gained fitness.

The information I've seen is more along the lines of: when you're older, you don't lose aerobic fitness as fast as you lose speed.

In response to the question, a month with crosstraining (that means at least as much time spent on bike or swimming or what have you as you would spend running, maybe more) wouldn't cost you anything in aerobic fitness. January is the second-best month to do that in, too (December would be the first). I had to take 4 weeks off in January for Achilles problems, but did cross training, came back in February with at least as much fitness as I had in December, and went on to get a PR by the end of the track season.

Good luck!

My past experience has been that any doctor who simply tells you to take a month off is a moron.

What are you doing to treat the cause of your problem? Do you have any musculoskeletal deficiences? Do you have any over-tight muscles? You should find a doctor who can actually diagnose your problem and put you on the course to recovery.

A month puts you at the end of January, which means that you will be iffy at best for conference champs in February, even if you stay fit with biking, etc. Consider redshirting if you can't find a decent doctor.

You are right about the aerobic part, but it was in relation to younger people (in their 20s) losing aerobic fitness and not in relation to losing speed.

Anyway, there are tons of studies out there to say pretty much what anyone would want them to say.

4 bags of doritos will do it

Let Mr Chest come over and give you a good workout.

I've had a few injuries which have kept me from running anywhere from a week to 3 months. In my experience, it takes about as much time to get back in shape as the time you take off. The key is to be patient and come back slowly. You'll probably be sucking wind the first couple of runs.

if you pool run like crazy will won't lose any fitness and can even gain it. I was out for 6 weeks with a fracture and within a few weeks was running a 6k pr. Elliptical is also great but i would assume that this might hurt your injury. I would say pool running and ellipitcal are better for running than biking or swiming laps by far.

Definitely see another doctor. You can find a sports Podiatrist in your area at

www.aapsm.org

BF

Yes see a foot doctor--and be prepared to get a second opinion. Feet problems can lead to many other problems. If you are out 2 weeks--it will take a week--out one month, it will take two weeks--and so on as a general rule. But two weeks seems to be how long it takes to gwet back to doing the same training as you did before--so start back slowly and expect it to take at least that long.

We finally get a chick to post on this board, and sure enough, she's turning into a fat ass.

lol

I had a one month layoff this past spring with runner's knee. I managed about a week of continuous running after the layoff, and then ran my 10K PB, so I assume the layoff had no real impact on overall fitness. The time off probably helped me out and let some simmering problems sort themselves out. I was off this fall for about a month and a half with IT band trouble. This time I found the comeback a bit more work. The first few real runs were a struggle. I was sucking wind, getting cramps (can't remember the last time I had cramps) and cutting short my planned runs (four miles instead of planned 6, etc). I had kept in decent shape through cardio cross training, but I guess my body missed the running motion, and I felt it. A couple of weeks now into complete recovery, I've got the miles and effort back up. Everey run feels good, like they always used to. I guess I think a month off won't kill you.