It is a personal choice and I could care less what others think.
I got mine after IM CDA 08. I was pushing 58 at the time so doubt that I will have any buyer's remorse when I grow up and mature.
Loved this response
I never wanted a tattoo, no interest at all, hated them. Then I finished an IM, and for some reason I decided I really wanted one to commemorate that achievement...but was torn because I didn't want just a corporate logo. I had a graphic designer friend create a design for me, incorporating the logo along with swimmer/biker/runner figures. It also has the word Iron before the m-dot. Since my nickname is "M", it's just kinda like it says Iron M. I've had it for only 4 years, but definitely don't regret it, and I don't expect that I will ever regret it. The only thing I regret is that I got it on my shoulder blade, so I can't really see it unless I look in the mirror. Now I want more ink. Kind of addictive.
Another cool one that I think is awesome is on Dean's calf. It wraps around his entire calf with the following items: swimmer figure, "2.4", biker figure, "112", runner figure, 26.2, mdot logo. Very unique.
And to answer Kathy's other questions...I felt like $120 to $150 (cant remember exactly) was very reasonable, and included a free touch-up within a year (color can fade). When I went in to have it done, I asked as to how much it would hurt. They totally laughed at me, saying "you just finished an ironman, and you're worried about how much a tattoo is going to hurt??" Completely different kind of pain, but it's not a continuous pain. Sharp localized pain for a few seconds, then off. Then on, then off. Took about an hour and a half from start (including drawing the outline on my skin first) to finish. There's a great place in Madison, very close to Lazy Jane's, called Capital City Tattoo. Ask for Brian.
The only thing I regret is that I got it on my shoulder blade, so I can't really see it unless I look in the mirror. Now I want more ink. Kind of addictive.
Sorry Michele, not to pick on you at all, but this is exactly the reason why I decided tatoo's in general are a bad idea for me. I tend to have a slightly addictive personality and I know if I got a simple MDOT, before I know it I would have all kinds of other stuff as well. Kind of like the multiple bikes and wheelsets.
BTW, I do think most Tatoo's are pretty cool looking and like seeing other peoples (MDOT or not). As Scott said, if it means something to you, do it and don't worry about what others think.
Hey thanks for all the comments! I knew there would be a plethora of different yeah's and neah's....that is exactly what I was looking for!
@Michele- also good to know about price and the hurt factor....I'm with Kit never liked needles....but prolly could handle as you say localized pain on and off.
However, I love seeing guys running or riding with an MDOT on their calf as it motivates me to pass them during my workouts. Yes, I'm a jerk but I'll take any motivation I can get during a long ride or run and a rather enjoy flying by someone with an MDOT tatoo.
Matt never thought of you as a jerk Somehow that just doesn't fit your humble personality! You are an animal though when it comes to competition
I have a couple. They each represent very important things that occurred at those particular moments in my life. I don't regret. Nor am I ashamed. One of them doesn't even have any meaning for me any more, but still reminds me of a very special time in my life that I remember fondly. For that reason, I will get one when I finish my first IM in AZ. That being said, I have decided against the MDot. Have thought about a swim/bike/run design. Still have some time to decide but still seeking out ideas.
@Michelle - could you post pics of yours and Dean's?
I'm toying with the idea of getting a teeney-tiny script M dot added to my existing tattoo.
or an EN Chica
Or a pink Energizer bunny...
Okay, if that little pink bunny appears again, it may have to become a tattoo.
And I love seeing most other M dot tattoos. The only one that freaked me out was a circle of m dots around someones ankle. They reminded me too much of a collection of scalps.
The one time I really, really, really wanted my own m-dot tattoo was standing in line at registration for the Fargo 1/2 mary. I wanted all those people to know I was really a triathlete. And that I was running their 1/2 mary as a workout because I murdered myself biking the day before, like all triathletes do.
The one time I really, really, really wanted my own m-dot tattoo was standing in line at registration for the Fargo 1/2 mary. I wanted all those people to know I was really a triathlete. And that I was running their 1/2 mary as a workout because I murdered myself biking the day before, like all triathletes do.
But you knew it. You owned it. See, tattooed on your soul. All that matters.
No tatoo's here either, though I have wanted one for over 10 years. I've been waiting on my husband to decide so we can go together. In that time perriod I changed my mind. In college I wanted a butterfly, glad I didn't b/c it didn't really mean anything.
Now of course I want a swim bike run. Mostley b/c it is what shapes the person I am, each sport individually and as a whole. I haven't done a full IM so mdot is not on my list. I have been getting really serious about it, trying to design something unique. Then I looked at myself, trying to decide where to get it and I can't decide. I want to be able to cover it up if I am in a nice dress, but show it off if I race. So I am still undecided. ANd I think my husband has decided no, so I will be on my own. I think they are sexy too. I am afraid I would be addicted too. Great to hear everybody else's responses
I'm pro-tattoo and used to have a chair at my friends shop. Spent a few summers doing all kinds of fun (and not so fun) tattoo's for people. Even did an m-dot for a guy who had just finished Lake Placid. While I've never put much thought into getting an mdot of my own, his stories certainly fueled the fire for me to get into triathlon. someday I'll get something to celebrate the tri-game, but it won't be an mdot or swim bike run. just something small and quiet.
Many years ago, I was double dog dared and ended up with a shamrock on my leg. It may have cost me a few deals when golfing with stuffy clients. I should have put it on my arse.
However, I love seeing guys running or riding with an MDOT on their calf as it motivates me to pass them during my workouts. Yes, I'm a jerk but I'll take any motivation I can get during a long ride or run and a rather enjoy flying by someone with an MDOT tatoo.
Matt, I was thinking about this last night while doing my long run. I got mine last November after finishing my first IM in AZ and so far have no regrets. While on the lakefront path I was doing my 30min warm up on Z1 and someone passed me who wouldn't if it was a work interval or if we were in a race. Hopefully she got a kick out of passing me.
It came out bigger than I wanted but isn't bad. Yes, they draw it out first but it's hard to judge the size and proportions when it's on the back of your calf. Still, I think it looks cool (important) and it's helped me pick up a few girls (more important ). There have been a couple instances where I was unsure with work functions but those who were there dug the Ironman thing.
One thing I've noticed is that I'm more hesitant to wear IM gear when I know my tat will show. Somehow I feel like all of that would be too much.
I'm pro-ink, but being a female who formerly worked for a large law firm... they are strategically placed to only show up when appropriate - which is pretty much never/only when I'm in a swim suit (i.e., on my back and inside of my left heel). I'm definitely planning on an IM tattoo when I complete one, but the location and design is still TBD. I have some thoughts... the SO isn't really a fan of ink in general and, knowing I will go under the pen once more, suggested the inside of the other heel, which is a distinct possibility. The left foot currently sports the number 26.2 Perhaps a complimentary 140.6 on the right... or, if I go with a classic M-Dot, it may be on my right quad, just below the tri shorts line so it will be visible when racing. As one of my friends commented: "the only reason I'd every do an Ironman is to get the tattoo." Right on!
@Scott: I used to live in Dallas until 2005.. Started tri-ing there with Team in Training. Claire was a TNT mentor or something for my Gulf Coast Triathlon team in 2004. I knew she had the very large tat, so I was pretty sure it was her.
I'm pro-tattoo and used to have a chair at my friends shop. Spent a few summers doing all kinds of fun (and not so fun) tattoo's for people. Even did an m-dot for a guy who had just finished Lake Placid. While I've never put much thought into getting an mdot of my own, his stories certainly fueled the fire for me to get into triathlon. someday I'll get something to celebrate the tri-game, but it won't be an mdot or swim bike run. just something small and quiet.
Wait. Leigh = tattoo artist? You know you could have a very, very popular booth the day after IMoo. Nice.
yup! was originally going to be a comic book artist and had a contract/plan to move to NYC when I was 18. tattoo stuff was a fun ride and favor to my friend.
I'm a no permanent stuff on my body type of guy. I did buy one of the temporary ones and had it on at the beach for a day the weekend after Placid. Ok, it looked cool.
Here's an M-DOT tattoo story that I really enjoy:
My friend (whose name is also Cary) is a lifeguard and has two tattoos, a seahorse and an M-Dot, both hidden from normal day to day view. At a lifeguard party a girl says to some of his friends that she loves seahorses, they send her over to Cary. He shows her the seahorse tattoo which is right next to the M-Dot tattoo. Her response: "Oh wow cool ... hey what's that one, a Lego?" Most non-triathletes have no idea what the M-Dot is.
I was at a pool last summer during a great, sunny day. My Mdot tattoo is on my upper right arm and I had it modified just a bit. I had it done in green with a tree in the middle (the IM CDA version) and a fellow in the next lane saw the tattoo and asked me if I was a master gardener.
Comments
Loved this response
I never wanted a tattoo, no interest at all, hated them. Then I finished an IM, and for some reason I decided I really wanted one to commemorate that achievement...but was torn because I didn't want just a corporate logo. I had a graphic designer friend create a design for me, incorporating the logo along with swimmer/biker/runner figures. It also has the word Iron before the m-dot. Since my nickname is "M", it's just kinda like it says Iron M. I've had it for only 4 years, but definitely don't regret it, and I don't expect that I will ever regret it. The only thing I regret is that I got it on my shoulder blade, so I can't really see it unless I look in the mirror. Now I want more ink. Kind of addictive.
Another cool one that I think is awesome is on Dean's calf. It wraps around his entire calf with the following items: swimmer figure, "2.4", biker figure, "112", runner figure, 26.2, mdot logo. Very unique.
And to answer Kathy's other questions...I felt like $120 to $150 (cant remember exactly) was very reasonable, and included a free touch-up within a year (color can fade). When I went in to have it done, I asked as to how much it would hurt. They totally laughed at me, saying "you just finished an ironman, and you're worried about how much a tattoo is going to hurt??"
Sorry Michele, not to pick on you at all, but this is exactly the reason why I decided tatoo's in general are a bad idea for me. I tend to have a slightly addictive personality and I know if I got a simple MDOT, before I know it I would have all kinds of other stuff as well. Kind of like the multiple bikes and wheelsets.
BTW, I do think most Tatoo's are pretty cool looking and like seeing other peoples (MDOT or not). As Scott said, if it means something to you, do it and don't worry about what others think.
@Scott: I vaguely recall you're in the Dallas area, aren't you? I don't suppose your friend Claire is Claire Oliver by chance?
Hey thanks for all the comments! I knew there would be a plethora of different yeah's and neah's....that is exactly what I was looking for!
@Michele- also good to know about price and the hurt factor....I'm with Kit never liked needles....but prolly could handle as you say localized pain on and off.
@Linda- tatooed on the soul---yes!
Matt never thought of you as a jerk
That would be awesome. But I need company if I'm getting her tattooed on me. And soul tattoos don't count.
@Michelle - could you post pics of yours and Dean's?
@Everyone else - post pics of your IM tats
Steven: My wife is a "Big Cheese" (pun intended) for Kraft Foods who owns Oscar Mayer. She might be able to make that happen!
Steve, yes, she is. I see you know the tattoo too, then?
Are you a DFW-area peep too?!?
That would be sweet! They can say even IM athletes enjoy a good hot dog and I bet I could dig up or get a picture of me in the areo bars enjoying one.
Here's mine. Right shoulder blade. And yes, it's very challenging to take a picture of your own shoulder blade...
I'll check with Dean to see if he'll consent to his pic on the forums...
Yep, Michele's is VERY cool!! I noticed it @ ; Moo Camp.
Whenever this subject comes up, I'm reminded of "Turlignton's Tattoo Remover" from SNL...
www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/vid...r/1056744/
Or a pink Energizer bunny...
Okay, if that little pink bunny appears again, it may have to become a tattoo.
And I love seeing most other M dot tattoos. The only one that freaked me out was a circle of m dots around someones ankle. They reminded me too much of a collection of scalps.
The one time I really, really, really wanted my own m-dot tattoo was standing in line at registration for the Fargo 1/2 mary. I wanted all those people to know I was really a triathlete. And that I was running their 1/2 mary as a workout because I murdered myself biking the day before, like all triathletes do.
But you knew it. You owned it. See, tattooed on your soul.
All that matters.
No tatoo's here either, though I have wanted one for over 10 years. I've been waiting on my husband to decide so we can go together. In that time perriod I changed my mind. In college I wanted a butterfly, glad I didn't b/c it didn't really mean anything.
Now of course I want a swim bike run. Mostley b/c it is what shapes the person I am, each sport individually and as a whole. I haven't done a full IM so mdot is not on my list. I have been getting really serious about it, trying to design something unique. Then I looked at myself, trying to decide where to get it and I can't decide. I want to be able to cover it up if I am in a nice dress, but show it off if I race. So I am still undecided. ANd I think my husband has decided no, so I will be on my own. I think they are sexy too. I am afraid I would be addicted too. Great to hear everybody else's responses
Jessica
That's awesome Michelle! Very unique.
None for me either although I've seen some pretty cools ones.
How 'bout a David Clinger:
090114_campbell_0225_LOWres.jpg
Matt, I was thinking about this last night while doing my long run. I got mine last November after finishing my first IM in AZ and so far have no regrets. While on the lakefront path I was doing my 30min warm up on Z1 and someone passed me who wouldn't if it was a work interval or if we were in a race. Hopefully she got a kick out of passing me.
It came out bigger than I wanted but isn't bad. Yes, they draw it out first but it's hard to judge the size and proportions when it's on the back of your calf. Still, I think it looks cool (important) and it's helped me pick up a few girls (more important
). There have been a couple instances where I was unsure with work functions but those who were there dug the Ironman thing.
One thing I've noticed is that I'm more hesitant to wear IM gear when I know my tat will show. Somehow I feel like all of that would be too much.
I'm pro-ink, but being a female who formerly worked for a large law firm... they are strategically placed to only show up when appropriate - which is pretty much never/only when I'm in a swim suit (i.e., on my back and inside of my left heel). I'm definitely planning on an IM tattoo when I complete one, but the location and design is still TBD. I have some thoughts... the SO isn't really a fan of ink in general and, knowing I will go under the pen once more, suggested the inside of the other heel, which is a distinct possibility. The left foot currently sports the number 26.2 Perhaps a complimentary 140.6 on the right... or, if I go with a classic M-Dot, it may be on my right quad, just below the tri shorts line so it will be visible when racing. As one of my friends commented: "the only reason I'd every do an Ironman is to get the tattoo." Right on!
@Scott: I used to live in Dallas until 2005.. Started tri-ing there with Team in Training. Claire was a TNT mentor or something for my Gulf Coast Triathlon team in 2004. I knew she had the very large tat, so I was pretty sure it was her.
Small world.
Wait. Leigh = tattoo artist? You know you could have a very, very popular booth the day after IMoo. Nice.
Here's an M-DOT tattoo story that I really enjoy:
My friend (whose name is also Cary) is a lifeguard and has two tattoos, a seahorse and an M-Dot, both hidden from normal day to day view. At a lifeguard party a girl says to some of his friends that she loves seahorses, they send her over to Cary. He shows her the seahorse tattoo which is right next to the M-Dot tattoo. Her response: "Oh wow cool ... hey what's that one, a Lego?" Most non-triathletes have no idea what the M-Dot is.
We still chuckle over that one each time we meet.