Monday, October 14, 2013

My Ironman Tattoo.

I think I read somewhere in the triathlon rule book that once you completed a 140.6 race, that you had to go get the Ironman tattoo. Now I am a rule follower (most of the time), and keeping to the lore of Ironman, I went and got my tattoo last Friday.

Now I did not go for the normal M Dot red tattoo. I wasn't feeling it, and I did not want the M Dot since I did not do a M Dot race. (To me, after you do a 140.6 distance race, you are an Ironman, M Dot or not). So I went a different route.

Before I show you the picture, I will tell you that I have the word "Ironman 2013 Gal 6:14" in a font that matches my initials I have on my bicep. For some reason, I am drawn more to words than I am pictures on my body, and I do not know why.

So I head to my tattoo shop and explain I want the Ironman tattoo. The guy automatically goggles the Avenger character. Shaking my head I say NO!!  Then  I explain to him what an Ironman is and what the race consist of. I then have to listen to him state that he could do the swim, because he likes to swim, but everything else would be hard. Whatever yo!

So we get the design, the size, the font and everything just right and then he puts on the stencil and Jford is happy. I look him in the eye and I say, "Let's do this"

I guess now would be a good time to warn everyone who reads this that a tattoo on the ribs hurts really, really, really bad! Yeah, I was shocked also. It hurt worse than my other two tatts combined, but hey, I'm an Ironman right? I can handle it right?

Well, all I can say is that he could not get done fast enough. every time the needle dug into my flesh I tensed up, it felt like he was tattooing my lungs! Luckily, since it was only one color, it did not take as long as it felt like it did.

So without further adieu, here is a picture of my Ironman tattoo!

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
 
 

10 comments:

  1. The mere thought of that kind of pain would turn me off. But congrats and a great way to celebrate your accomplishment. On the off chance I ever finish a 140.6, I'm sure I'd get some kind of tattoo - but it would be small and hopefully somewhere less painful. I've thought I'd like a shamrock (engineer thing) with something on three of the leaves to represent SBR and 140.6 on the 4th leaf. All well and good when I didn't even do the Oly I had hoped for this year. I'm thinking IM probably isn't in my future. Too chicken.

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    1. I like the Shamrock design, that would be cool! It only hurt for a shirt time compared to an IM! LOL

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  2. Yes, I believe that is on page one of the training manual. Step 1) complete Ironman 140.6. Step 2) Get tattoo!

    I'd totally get one if I ever did an IM....and I have no tattoos so that would be a big step. But no worries for me, no IM in my future.

    Congrats!

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    1. "no IM in my future", Yeah I have said that before also! :)

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  3. I still need to get mine! I just completed the design a few weeks ago. I was thinking about getting it on my ribs but now I don't know. I have a tattoo already on my side around my back and although I really like it, I can't see it and I hate that. Anyway, I need to just do it.

    I really like yours!!

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  4. Good call on the non Mdot.
    Why advertise for them without payment
    I should have 7 of them now but have none
    Now, next year I might... just might be convinced of a wrap around one with each of the races logos from all continents.... maybe... but that would involve advertisement for WTC ...

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    1. That would be an epic tatt! I am sure there is some creative way to tattoo it without using the Mdot!

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  5. Congrats on the tat! If I ever do a full IM I plan to get AT&T too.

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