When we started training I told Matt instead of the tattoo, if we finished the 140.6, I wanted to go to our jeweler and have him make a custom M-Dot necklace with a small diamond in the dot. I was dead set on getting this for about six months. Then I started thinking about all the things one thinks about when spending money...do I really need it, am I really going to wear it, will anyone even know what it means. Then I got into the whole tangled web regarding the fact that we really didn't do a "WTC Ironman" event which is what the M-Dot logo really represents...a corporate logo. Yes, we did 140.6 and can call ourselves Ironmen, but would people questions the M-Dot versus the Rev3 logo and do I really want to have to go through all the trouble of explaining why I got an M-Dot necklace when I did a Rev3 event. And the saga goes on from there....you've all heard it before.
So, recently I have been toying with the idea of getting a simple, "140.6" in some fancy script font tattooed on my foot. Reasons I want it are the following:
- Because I know when Matt goes to get his I will really really want one.
- There is alot of meaning behind it with all the training we went through and with the fact that this is something Matt and I did together.
- It represents the fact that nothing is unattainable.
- I would feel like I am more a part of "the club."
But then there are several reasons I don't want it:
- Because my parents ingrained in my head that if I ever got a tattoo I would not be allowed to come home. I feel like I would be really disappointing them and I don't like hiding things from them. You should have seen my mom's face when Matt told her he was getting the tattoo. She finally approved it after some explanation, but immediately turned to me and said, "You're not getting one are you?" with a look of desperation in her eyes.
- Granted this event was not easy by any means, it wasn't really a "life changing event"....do I really need the tattoo?
- Because sometimes tattoos have the stereotype of "white trash" associated with them. Granted we all know that this is not true (well in certain cases it is, but we all know that type), I think this has been ingrained in my head since I was little.
- I'ts permanent and I am a perfectionist. If there is one imperfection in it I will dwell on it for the rest of my life.
- It's permanent and I am a perfectionist! I have a feeling I will change my mind at some point in my life and regret getting it, just like I did when I got my belly button pierced.....wish I never got it done!
So, I guess I am asking for your thoughts and opinions. Should I or shouldn't I and why? Do you have an M-dot or triathlon related tattoo? Do you love it or do you regret it?
16 comments:
First, here is this
http://www.bigislandjewelers.com/Pages/IM_Pendants.html
Second, if I ever do that distance, as of today I want the tattoo, but on the same page, I hate 2 of my 3 tattoos I got when I was 18 years old
If you have any hesitation at all, don't do it. You have a list of reasons why not and that pretty much says it all. Keep thinking about it until you can say without hesitation yes. Just because you don't have the tattoo doesn't make you any less badass. You set the goal and you did it!
I agree with Adena, you should be 100% sure.
However, I always thought if I got a tattoo, it would be on the back of my neck. That way I could cover it up with my hair down and everyone could see it if my hair was in a ponytail (or swim cap). Also, I would never have to look at any imperfections.
Ok so your first reason made me laugh REALLy loud because my mother said the same thing, except she would write me out of her will. Surprisingly enough I know their will hasn't been updated since I've even been born and doesn't mention me except in the possible if there is any more offspring...
I've toyed with the idea as well and kind of like the jewelry thing. Thinking i might have mine melt down some of my own gold and make me one. The ones you can buy are really expensive. But haven't decided yet. The 140.6 script is a nice gesture and it can be smaller than what you can make the m-dot tattoo and still has the same
meaning. But yes I think the only place to hide from my parents would be right below the ankle bone and then what is the point if noone can see it :-)
Interesting comments :) Curious what everyone has to say.
You know my feelings, it's the journey I don't want to forget, the race itself didn't do anything really for me. That is why I want the tattoo, I can always look at it as a constant reminder of the good, the bad, and the ugly days we went through and pushed through, so that we were able to achieve our goals.
There were two goals achieved.
1) to complete that distance in under 17 hrs.
2) to not hurt from that race.
:)
I would get it. If it's small and on your foot, no one will ever see it. I have 5 tattoos. I look at each one of them and remember exactly where I was, why I got them and what I was doing at that point and time.
No one has ever called me white trash, in fact they call my Marilyn Monroe portrait the "most beautiful" tattoo they've ever seen.
I am a perfectionist also but I appreciate art as well. Who gives a crap about what other people think?
Like most others said, unless you are 100% pumped about the idea, don't do it. Go with Matt to get his, then sit on it for a few days. It's umm, permanent, so you have to be 110% okay with it. you know you did the race, so you don't have to get a tattoo to prove it.
With that being said, I think the 140.6 on the foot is a sweet freaking idea :-)
Oh, and these are freaking SWEET:
http://www.bigislandjewelers.com/Pages/IM_Rings.html
Did you really just do a pro/con list on your blog??? ;) I'm shaking my head only because it is all too familiar.
I don't know what to tell you. I was totally gungho about getting an M-dot on my calf before the race. Now, I'm sort of "eh" about it. So, like others said, if you aren't 100%, don't do it. I'm toying with trying out a henna tattoo on a temporary basis, but too lazy so far.
As for whether or not you should get an M-dot or 140.6, you totally earned an M-dot regardless of whether the race was WTC or not. Ironman is Ironman regardless of the trademark. I've heard the argument, why would you get a brand like Nike tattoo? But to me, the M-dot had a meaning before it was a brand.
Personally, I think you should go whole hog and get "Team Oravec" tattooed across your back from shoulder to shoulder. haha
Make sure you are 100% and make sure you get a design that you really like. It isn't going anywhere. Also, you can get it anytime. Like a college degree no once can ever take away your accomplishment.
I have an endurance athlete tattoo of a turtle. Lots of symbols for me:
1- no matter how slow you are crossing the finish line is crossing the finish line.
2- turtles carry the weight of the world on their shoulders and still move forward.
I have 26.2 in one of the front fins and 70.3 in the other.
The shell has a star in it at the top because the star represents Puerto Rico, Texas and USA as all have stars in their flags.
The bottom of the shell is blank and will get the 140.6 put in it once the distance is complete. I will also have sun rays of maroon and yellow in the shell coming out of the star because one of the 140.6 races will be in Arizona and their flag is exactly that.
Be 100% sure.
I got the M-Dot pendant and love it.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it actually.
Yeah, the Tat...It MIGHT (maybe?) have been MY suggestion on Twitter to Matt to get the M-dot tats at IMFL after many beers. :) If you don't do it will you hold my hand while I do?
I am doing it. You can do a henna one first that will come off so if you HATE it you are not stuck with it.
PS I LOVE Kevin's comment
First, your mom is pretty awesome and if it would disappoint her you shouldn't do it (-:
Since you asked and I am never short on opinions here is my take!
There are two types of Ironman Triathletes: Those that have M-dot tattoos and those that do not need one.
Thanks for the advice everyone! Though I would love to have the daily reminder, I am choosing, as of right now, not to get the tattoo. Although Kevin's suggestion of a giant Team Oravec tat across my back is very tempting!
I think I am going to go with a necklace instead ;)
I have the M-Dot necklace and love it. I won't get an M-dot tattoo because I can't imagine branding myself with someone's logo. :) I was gung ho for a while. BUT... I would like to get another tattoo when Mandy get's hers in PCB (and now Matt I guess). I was thinking of a swimmer, biker and runner on my foot. You could do something like that and add the M-dot or the 140.6. Just a thought. We can hold each others hands! :)
DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!! On my list of top ten regrets. Seriously. Think about it at least a year first...it's not nearly as cool or painless as people make it sound. And there are people...quite a few...who really will judge you based on that. If you are going to do it, do it for you and no one else. And make sure you can easily hide it.
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