To Tat or not to Tat

Jonathan Brown

So for the last 2 years, i have always said, "If i do an IM, i will get the m-dot tat."  However for the last 3 months or so, i am second guessing myself.  I am not sure i want to:

1) Spend the money on a tat

2) They are forever

3) I have hairy legs and i do not shave them (NO John W.  I will not wax my whole body)

So what are your opinions?

Paul Hough

I said the same thing but did not get one after my first IM. After 3 IMs, I got one...and I have no regrets...but I am also in my mid 50s and forever is not as long as it is if you are in your 20s or 30s. The primary argument against them is that it is a corporate logo. My own opinion is that argument doesn't hold water. WTC is simply the caretaker of a brand/logo that has long since become a generic in everyone's mind except the law and a few contrarians in ST. The m dot represents an achievement and nothing else. I have been approached by many people asking me what IMs I have done. Its also like having a fraternity tat...you are instantly a recognized member. No one has ever said it was stupid to my face and no one has ever seen it and asked what I thought about WTC. I can guarantee you that most triathletes recognize it as the Ironman tat and could not tell you who owned Ironman if their life depended on it. The bottomline is that you need to decide what it means to you and not worry what others think.

kimmydct

I'd say yes! I got mine a couple of weeks after IMFL and don't regret it at all. I designed it myself and made it unique. I can't answer on the leg shaving thing though. Mine are usually shaved.

Dino Sarti

I said the exact same thing before IMCDA this year. The race was over a month ago and I have not yet pulled the tigger. I think if I already knew an artist and could just make it happen, it would be done, but I just can't seem to carve out the time to make it happen....

I say go for it, but I also often say "if there is doubt in your mind, then there really is no doubt...." Wait until you feel the doubt is gone.

Nemo Brauch

This is all very personal. I said the same thing for years before doing my first IM. If I ever finished an Ironman I'd tattoo that thing on my ass!!! Going on IM #4 now and still have not been inked. I do appreciate some of the unique and creative M-dot tats I've seen. For me, I don't feel the need to flaunt or show off that I've don an Ironman. I did it for me. I also got a little more turned off as time went by with the concept of putting a corp logo on my body permanently. (agree, it's more than just WTC, but then there's that whole stupid argument of if you should get an m-dot tat if you haven't done a WTC Ironman race (but another iron distance race) or if you didn't do Kona). I just don't feel the need to put myself in the middle of such a silly debate or unintentionally promote a brand. Finally, to be honest, if I was creative enough to come up with some really unique and cool m-dot/ironman inspired design, then maybe I'd do it. But honestly, there's not a whole lot of things in my life that I have wanted to wear forever.

morpheus

It's a special club to be a part of. No shame in getting 'stamped' for the entry into that club.

I haven't, yet, cuz I'm afraid of the jinx. Something tells me that if I get the Mdot, then within a year or two I'll be 100lbs overweight, still showing up at local races hoping that my Mdot tattoo will get thru the races instead of any training that could've been done.

However, if (and I say 'if' cuz I don't think it'll ever happen) I ever qualify for Kona, I sure as hell will be getting some kind of KQ tat!

Coach Rich

No M-Dot tat for me, no plans. If I did, I'd have to get a USMC tat above it, as that means much more me.

I thought about getting an EN tat...then remembered I probably have some temporary ones laying around at home 

russG

If you feel doubt, skip it and focus on your next race.

Scott Alexander

I took several years to get mine designed before finally getting inked with an mdot. It's not something I took lightly and got to incorporate several themes into it, and even got to cover up my older first one with some of the new one.

For me, tattoos are addictive. I'm already thinking how to add to the partial "sleeve" with some more cool stuff.

If I can con someone into taking a pic of mine, I'll post it here.

Jonathan Brown

So i had this conversation with my partner tonight about the M-Dot tat... Guess what, I'm not allowed. :-( HEHEHE, i guess the debate for me is done.. Also, i tend to agree with Chris, I do not want to be 100 lbs over weight and people say, "I just beat that fat guy in a 5K and he says he did an ironman..."

cgres123

I like ink.

I have the Mdot tat, I earned it so I wear it. I have my Chief Petty Officer stripe on my upper right arm surrounded by things that make the art work pop! I earned it I'm keeping it.

Some folks like them some don't. Yep it's money and it hurts kind of like letting a sewing machine rip up your skin. It's personal and if it means something to you go for it and wear it proud.

Paul Hough

After more than 4 decades of continuous endurance sports competition, worrying about being 100 pounds overweight - or even 20 - was never an issue.

Dino Sarti

That ^^^

russG

Congratulations, by the way, on IMLP - saw your race report up - will read it later - best!

Nate Parady

If you're having doubts and especially without the spousal approval I would say skip it. This type of thread seems to come up about once a year.

I was tempted to get an Army Tat but opted to not get one which for me was a good decision. I have opted NOT to get an M-Dot based solely on how I feel about not getting the Army Tat. Right now, for me, I don't want my life resume written on my body. I might change my mind one day.

My favorite M-Dot Tatoo that I saw last year at the pool was very simple. Quarter sized M-Dot in Red on the back of a guy's Calf. Very simple, small, and to most people probably looked like a dirt mark, but to fellow athletes they all would know.