Hi Kelly,
I’ve been a long distance runner for several years but I recently started experiencing pain in my pelvis/groin area that has caused me to stop running. I think it is a pelvic strain. I plan on seeing a doctor soon but in the meantime, I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me. I’m devastated that I can’t run right now and I’m worried about losing muscle mass, losing endurance, gaining weight, etc. I’ve continued to do any activities that I am able to do without much pain, such as indoor cycling classes, lifting weights, and yoga, but I’m still worried that I won’t ever be able to run my 8-11 miles again! How soon after stopping running will I lose my endurance? If I continue lifting weights, will I still lose muscle mass from the muscles used in running? When I begin running again, do I have to start out at really low mileage or do you think I’ll be able to get back into my long runs fairly soon? Lastly, how do you deal with clients who are recovering from an injury and are emotionally distraught or depressed about not being able to do things that they used to be able to do? Mentally, I’m having a really hard time dealing with this!
Thank you so much for any advice or insight you could provide. I love your blog and I appreciate your willingness to give such free advice and support! 
Christina
I can tell by the tone of your email that you are freaking out about this, but remember you dont even know what it is. Go see your doctor. If its a strain, it should heal fairly quickly, so as long as you listen to what the doctor says and dont do anything to aggrevate it, it should heal in a couple weeks and you can go right back to what you were doing.
Endurance and muscle don’t go away over night- in fact, the average rate of losing muscle mass is about half the rate it took you to put it on. so however long it took you to gain that muscle it will take twice as long for it to start to atrophy. And even then, its not like it all dissappears at once- chances are you wont even notice it. You might be sore the first few workouts after healing up, but that happens anytime you take a break.
If you continue to workout the muscles you use when you run with weights, or other cardio activities, of course you won’t lose muscle mass. Chances are, you’ll see better results because you’ve mixed up your routine a bit, which everyone needs to do.
I always get clients that call in and say, “doctor said i cant use my knee for a while, so ill see you in two weeks,” to which i reply, “nice try- there are always ways to make modifications to workouts that no matter what your injury, you can work all your muscles. Get your ass in here.”
Unless your legs need to be amputated, Im quite sure you will run again. Breathe. Everyone gets injuries. Hell, avid runners break their legs sometimes, and get right back to running after they heal up. I realize you put a lot of work into your training, but put it into perspective: you don’t have to run constantly in order to stay in shape. I never run, and I’m in shape. Just find something else to do, like spinning, which you mentioned, until the doctor gives you the go ahead.
Every Gym’s Nightmare, fitness, health, yoga, pilates, strength training, personal trainer, cardiovascular, cardio, exercise, wellness, weight loss, blog, blogging, fitness blog, weightloss blog,