Maintaining Running Streak Through a Vasectomy

This is a bad idea.

The risk doesn’t seem like it’s worth the reward.

That’s mainly because the reward is nothing.

I just had a “no scalpel” vasectomy last Thursday. Although the whole ordeal is relatively painless, you will have to take some time off. Running the next day would be stupid. My doc said 2 weeks which I think is a bit excessive. Here I am Tuesday and still have a little aching going on as I think I did to much at work yesterday. Was planning on running after 7-10 days but will have to see.

Bottom line, you will break your streak.

It seems like you are addicted to your streak.

It owns you, instead of the other way around.

Make a conscious decision to break your streak.

Or use other methods:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coitus_interruptus

I was on the treadmill running 4 miles at reasonable pace the same week. I actually think it helped the healing process. Everyone is different. Good Luck.

I would strongly urge you to break your streak. I had hernia surgery and tried to come back too soon. The resulting minor tear in tissue caused me pain for 17 years until it eventually tore again and I had to have hernia surgery AGAIN! My training partner also had a similar experience.

If you lack the self-discipline to stop running, I suggest that you run on a treadmill while supporting your weight with the arm rails. You can then just move your legs without impact. It's the impact that's the real issue.

Just had my vasectomy a little over a month ago. The doctor said to take a week off strenuous exercise. I ran light and easy on the 8th day.

Could I have run the very next day? Maybe. It would have been uncomfortable, and it would have slowed the healing process and definitely increased the swelling. By how much, I don't know. But as my doctor said, the scrotum can expand almost indefinitely. It's not like a bruise or incision on your arm, where you skin can only expand so much. The scrotum could become a balloon.

That said, I do think your streak is possible to keep. But it depends on what the parameters for your streak are. I know a few other runners who are streaking. They have 1, 2, and 4 mile minimums for themselves. If you've just got a mile minimum, then I think doing a 12 minute mile the next day, and maybe the first 4 to 5 days, would potentially work. The evening of the day after my procedure I was out on 15 to 20 minute walks with my dog, and that was no problem.

Had a vasectomy about 4 years ago. I ran the morning of the procedure, and then ran 2 miles each day after the procedure for about 4 days. It wasn’t bad, but definitely recommend wearing very tight underwear so things aren’t bouncing around. I was back to regular mileage in 4 days and workouts a week later.. Just kept things tight in there while recovering.

One day your stupid streak will end. It might as well be now.

Hobbyjoggerjay wrote:

I just had a “no scalpel” vasectomy last Thursday. Although the whole ordeal is relatively painless, you will have to take some time off. Running the next day would be stupid. My doc said 2 weeks which I think is a bit excessive. Here I am Tuesday and still have a little aching going on as I think I did to much at work yesterday. Was planning on running after 7-10 days but will have to see.

Bottom line, you will break your streak.

Did your wife's boyfriend get you some new games on your nintendo switch to play while in recovery?

Hobbyjoggerjay wrote:

I just had a “no scalpel” vasectomy last Thursday. Although the whole ordeal is relatively painless, you will have to take some time off. Running the next day would be stupid. My doc said 2 weeks which I think is a bit excessive. Here I am Tuesday and still have a little aching going on as I think I did to much at work yesterday. Was planning on running after 7-10 days but will have to see.

Bottom line, you will break your streak.

Yeah, no.

I'm back to tell you all this: I did run through my vasectomy and it was, ultimately, a success.

My streak is intact and exceeds 10 years now. The incisions took about a month to heal. The swelling sucked pretty badly for a few weeks. But the streak is intact.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Even medical doctors.

Well, mine healed up completely in 3 days with rest. No swelling, healed incisions. Realistically, you probably cost yourself a few weeks of recovery time. Just because you can do anything, doesn't mean you should.

That said, I'm all for a stupid and futile endeavor, so good on you for that. I know I wasn't getting off the couch the day after.

hank jr wrote:

That said, I'm all for a stupid and futile endeavor, so good on you for that. I know I wasn't getting off the couch the day after.

Don't underestimate the importance of arbitrary badges like "10 year running streak" to people. The only difference between "I am a person with a 10 year running streak" and a "what does it all mean" is going on a run and risking medical damage. Does that put it in perspective? That is literally how important it is.

yes, I understand the allure of the streak, which is why I take mandatory days off before they get too long.

[/quote]

Yeah, no.

I'm back to tell you all this: I did run through my vasectomy and it was, ultimately, a success.

My streak is intact and exceeds 10 years now. The incisions took about a month to heal. The swelling sucked pretty badly for a few weeks. But the streak is intact.

Don't let anyone tell you you can't do something. Even medical doctors.[/quote]

Great job, man. I've got a streak of about 1 year going, too, and it gets difficult at times like this. That's why these streaks are so hard, and so damn impressive.

My fall back position for rough patches like this is 1 mile per day only, until danger averted, then back to usual mileage if a short break, or back to build up phase if longer. Streak stays intact.

Just proves we're capable of much more than we think we are. Good work! Keep it going!

You're someone I'd like to run with.