Mdot tattoo 140.6 vs 70.3
http://syracuseironman.wordpress.co...-3-tattoo/
While nursing a sore calf, and in wind down mode of race week, I get to think about other things that interest me other than training. Obviously from the title, this would be about tattoos. More specifically: triathlon or ironman themed tattoos. After completing Ironaman Syracuse (it is the goal), I may commemorate it with one. Been thinking about it. All said and done it's just a race, although a great one in my opinion. For me, it signifies a large body of work, commitment, a return to the sport, and on my home stomping grounds. The significance is an emotional one.
Generally speaking there seems to be two camps. Those that either have tattoos or admire them, and those that really dislike or look down at them. Very polarizing subject, not a lot of neutral or middle ground from what I see.
I most certainly fall into the first camp. I have a love of many forms of art, including skin art. In my younger days I sidelined as a freelance photographer. Although I liked tattoos, I waited until after I turned 50 to get my first one. That one is dedicated to my wife and our marriage. I got that on our 10 year wedding anniversary. We recently celebrated 15 years since we first met. Being the best 15 years of my time on the planet, I am very happy with what some would think is a risky subject to get inked.
By most standards I am heavily inked. I have an entire back piece dedicated to family and my grandchildren. Both upper arms, left rib cage, and a triathlon kokopelli 70.3 ankle band. I posted those pics in an earlier blog. The 70.3 piece commemorates having done the Firmman 70.3 in 1994. The kokopellis signify growth and joy. I certainly have gotten that from being a triathlete. Each of the tattoos I have were thought out over a significant period of time, and not spur of the moment or impulse decisions. No regretful choices made in a drunken stupor.
While researching ideas for artwork to possibly commemorate the milestone event, I came across quite a few discussions about triathlon tattoos and a derivative topic of M-Dot tattoos. There are very stark and divided opinions even among fellow triathletes. I find it a little odd, as the genre of triathlons has it 's roots from the big island, a cutting edge, techie sort of way of thinking. From the big island there is a long an rich history of Polynesian art & culture. Like the general public. Many hate them or like them. I do understand that. It is a personal choice and form of expression. There are some that cling to the old stereotypes. I do laugh at that, as when dressed in business casual attire you would not know I was inked. My decision to maintain that is based on being pragmatic. As an engineer, I work in a very conservative environment. Being that my skin art is very personal, I am ok with that. There are religious objections, most are related to interpretations of Leviticus 19:28. Scholarly insights focus more on the practice during that period of markings that worship the dead, and false gods.Very strong opinions on both sides of that.
Given my perspective, my discussion here is on the divide of the commemoration of a big "bucket list" item, whether it be a full or half ironman. On the side topic, there are very strong opinions that one should not get an M-Dot tattoo unless you have gone the 140.6 distance. Even if there is a 70.3 or some other way that distinguishes it as being 70.3. In my book, 4 to 8 hours of finishing something like an half ironman is not something to turn your nose up on. Have we gotten to the point that completing a 70.3 event is much the same as doing a 1 mile or 5K fun run? I think not. An observation of these forum discussions reveals in many cases that full ironman athletes exhibit a snobbery among some of them. This would be aside from whether or not they are cool with tattoos in general.
As much as I happen to like the skin art, I would separate the distinction between full and half distances. Not to diminish 70.3, but to somehow make the full ironman art work to be a more significant piece to represent the epic quality of it. Should I ever step up to a 140.6, that would be my perspective. As to go with the WTC M-Dot logo? Personal choice, as I think it is beyond just a corporate logo. It is so recognizable and synonymous with Kona, and the ironman triathlon race itself. Ironman Syracuse is a M-Dot branded event. Not sure if I would incorporate it or not.
Like I mentioned before, not everyone likes tattoos or wishes to commemorate in that way. I get that. Some folks are very private, others like myself want to have others enjoy it as we do, and are very social about it.
Last parting thought: Should you choose to commemorate your big day with a tattoo, go big, and get a great artist.
Comments
Sounds like tattoos are a large component of who you are. And triathlon / Ironman is just sport, a game, and means so many different things to all of us. I sez do what you want and ignore any haters. Who cares...this is all just a game.
No tattoos for me. If I were to get one, it would have be some flavor of USMC one first, as that means much more to me than anything I've done in triathlon, but as I've been "out" for 12yrs now, seems I'd be a little late to the party at this point
Agree 100% The long course and full ironman are battles of one's self, in my case three (me, myself, and I)
The quality of artists and what can possibly done out there is way different than the sailor tat's my dad had. Go big! All in or bust!
I graduated from boot camp, Parris Island in August of '95 and went straight to infantry school at Camp Lejuene. Kinda funny to see PFC's making about $800/mo go straight into town to get inked...very, very poorly
Yes sir, money does matter. Doesn't make sense to go small and cheap on something you'll have the rest of your life. Once you have a great idea,and a great artist, then it's time and money.
I have none, but Jess and I talk about them all the time and the gears are certainly turning. I have thought about and mentally designed many of them over the last 20 yrs and contemplated their location and everything, but I have never followed through. I personally associate the M-dot or any version of it with a full 140.6 but like Rich said, it's your body and your expression so do whatever the heck feels right to you.
I'm with John - I want to see the back piece!
1. I would not get an M-Dot because the Ironman corporation sent a letter from their 27 lawyers threatening to sue me over using the term "Ironmom". Yes, it's a symbol of the race, but now it's the symbol of a corporation and I won't forget THAT again. I won't be putting their corporate logo on my body
2. For me personally, yes the IM distance is a big challenge and a big goal. But I have accomplished other things that were as hard (climbing specific mountains, getting my black belt, and god knows childbirth!) and don't really wish to get ink for all of them. So I guess I prefer to keep it in the stable of things that are private accomplishments. ''
3. I rarely wear M-dot or Ironman gear to anything. I went to the Oregon Masters swim championships last year and several people were kitted out with M-Dot jackets and shirts and stuff. I would never ever do that, it's just not my style. So if I feel awkward advertising my Ironman status with a t-shirt, it's probably a good sign that I shouldn't get the ink.
I do have one tattoo - old and very poorly done by hand with needle and ink. Commemorating the punk band I was in for several years. It's ugly and faded, but so much a part of me that I'll never have it done over.
I appreciate the depth of your consideration and reflection on this topic, if more people put this amount of thought into the signifigance of both the accomplishment and the most meaningful (to them) form to express that accomplishment then I may likely have a very different opinion on this topic as a whole.
If more people took this approach, both for tattoos in general as well as the specific sub-domain of Ironman tattoos, then I may have a different opinion on them. However, while I'm inclined to agree with the others that if it is important to you, you should do as you wish and not care what others think, it would be naive to think that people will not in fact pass some sort of judgement based at least partially on this decision.
So speaking bluntly, on first glance and not knowing anything about you, when I see a brazenly placed M-Dot tattoo, I may make a certain assumption about your character and the type of athelete you are based off the cumulative experiences of the many other athletes I've encountered, inked and not.
I am often proven incorrect in these first impressions, but they are often confirmed as well, it is what it is. I am not saying that is right, I am not defending myself, I'm just being honest.
*Just as a side note, honestly and truthfully I am not saying that I dislike or will not be friends with poeple who get the tattoo. Beyond the first impression, it really is not even a factor, but it does effect the first impression for me.
Here ya go:
Back piece (family & grandkids)- www.facebook.com/photo.php
L Arm (anniversary tat)- www.facebook.com/photo.php
R Arm (Wild Turkey, author of two turkey hunting books)- www.facebook.com/photo.php
Left Rib Panel- Pin up in honor of meeting my wife (date etched inthe wood fence)
www.facebook.com/photo.php
Triathlon band- www.facebook.com/photo.php
links updated, hope it works
My 2 cents ... worth nothing more.
I wanted to get a tattoo of a winged foot on my ankle in my mid 20's when I first cracked 15 mins for the 5K. I ultimately rejected the idea by thinking ahead to the day (like about now) when I would stand on the starting line as a much slower version of myself and some kid possibly laughing at the irony of my tat.
Fast forward to now. I have a M-dot tat on my right calf, and I got it after my 3rd IM. I did not want to put 140.6 on myself because the first time I saw that sticker on a car I thought it was advertising a radio station. I read all the debates, but in the end decided to get it because I reject the argument that the M-dot stands for WTC. In fact, the average short course triathlete could not name the company that owns Ironman, but they do know the symbol means Ironman. It's like looking at the Superman emblem...do you think Superman or DC Comics? The fact remains that the M-dot is a razor's hair from becoming a generic. That's why they have to fight so hard to keep their legal rights to the trademark. But regardless of their legal rights, the overwhelming perception is that a M-dot means you have done an Ironman (and not a half). It doesn't matter whether it's a WTC, Rev3, Challenge or other independent. And it is so generic that folks who do those other independent 140.6 races often get the M-dot tattoo to commerorate their achievement. That speaks volumes more than all anti MDot rants by the SlowTwitch crowd.
Very cool to have a discussion about this and not have it turn into a complete trainwreck like the ST threads that I've seen.
I've decided that I probably won't get a tattoo after doing my first IM next month, though I certainly respect anyone's choice to get themselves inked. My personal reasons:
I agree with Anson - thanks for bringing this up, Mike (especially since it seems to be on my mind a LOT!)! LOVE the work you've had done - very detailed, beautiful stuff!
PAUL! Oh wow - talk about food for thought! GREAT point about the 140.6 thing! Ha! That's actually kind of hilarious now that I think about it... I was *this* close to getting a radio station inked somewhere on my body! How about Roman numerals???
All of this has really got me to thinking - it's very possible that it's not the M-Dot or the 140.6 that I was so intent on getting, but I more or less just wanted a tattoo in general. Yikes. Back to the committment thing!
Anson, I'm sure you're a fabulous conversationalist! How about getting pi to the 13th decimal tattoo'd down the back of your calf?
From a fellow nerd... 3.1415926535897 would look sweet!
Well, ~3.14 miles is close enough to a 5k (~3.106 miles), right? If anyone asks, I'll just say I went with the number my Garmin told me.
I have been thinking about this as well.
I have a tat on my upper arm, that does not really mean much. I wanted a tribal-ish sun on my arm and when I was 30, I got it. My Dad had just gotten one to commemorate his service in Vietnam from the same artist the day prior and that pushed me over the edge. My wife was there and the same artist that did my father and I gave my wife a "tramp stamp" (she HATES when I say that) in the same color palette as my sun.
Mike - Your work is really awesome. Thanks for the FB add BTW. And, is a really big commitment to the art. Kudos!
Paul - I agree with you. M-Dot really should be for the 140.6 crowd. To do otherwise means it is more of WTC logo, IMHO. But, to each his/her own... Just means they need to explain the "1/2 thing" every time they are asked. That was my detraction....
I am doing two 140.6 events next year - IMCDA and IMHoe. These are my first full distance events and when I complete them, I will likely go for the little M-Dot on my calf. Part of me just thinks it is cool, but I know others will disagree. Oh well, such is life. Unlike Anson and Robin, when I finish my Ironman, I will be the guys wearing M-Dot shorts, t-shirt, jacket, visor, the works. I want to talk about it! I am proud of it! I was 253 pounds before I found Triathlon. Talking about it keeps me 175-ish...
And, finally, Anson. 1) You are a marvelous conversationalist and 2) you should get your astrological sign! Ties in nicely with your Phd in Astronomy..... IMHO.
Oh Dino, you flatter me...
Actually, I do want to get myself some MDOT merchandise, but I'll have to complete an MDOT event first. I too, would be very proud of that accomplishment. In fact, I think apparel is a great way of showing that for those who aren't inclined to get tattoos. Only problem is that after I do my non-WTC IM, I'll have to explain to everyone why my t-shirt says I'm a "Vineman" instead of an "Ironman"
Also, another personal objection I have against getting myself tattooed is that I hate needles
I still sweat everytime I line up for a flu shot... 
@ Mike: That is a very impressive work of art on your back, wow!! How long did it take for that to get done? It always amazes me how much attention to detail that one can have even when using human skin as a canvas...
When I started doing tris in 2004, and my first ironman (don't see any need to get involved with the brand discussion) in 2006, i started thinking about the m-dot tattoo.
Well, after four ironmans, I finally decided to take the plunge and got it done in a big way. Right shoulder, full color, partial sleeve over the shoulder, with the centerpiece being the mdot, in the middle of a bike wheel, surrounded by 11 rays of sun (a kickback to the fraternity, 11 founding members)' and some tribal black bands encircling it all (covering the old band). Then topped off with the initials of my mom (who passed in early 2010) and dad. Basic gist, all of these things: triathlon, fraternity and my parents, of course, all have had such a huge influence in my life, I wear them proudly!
Now they're all accented by the collar bone surgery scar I received last week!!
If I can get someone to take a pic, I'll post it for y'all to see.
I started it in the late Jan 2011, and finished it just before Christmas. Close to 27 hours of work
Do what works for you!
I've a few tats. Next may be iron related, to be gotten if i make kona. Probably hawaiian design and not mdot.
My vote is “to each his own”.
BTW I was considering something like this:
Good idea for a wiki category!
8 years of college is awesome!!! I only did 6. I wish could have found a way to stay longer....
Also - I need to see that Tat! Sounds cooooool.
http://ironman.com/profiles/ink-of-the-week-kenyon-c.#axzz1yOjDciuT
John, you'll have to catch me to see it!!!
I see a gauntlet thrown down.
I have been thinking of getting a tattoo for my IM but havent come up with a design yet.
And Coach P are we not a Gang here at EN?
We have a dress code, code of conduct, we have rules... I could go on put in the cop world we are a gang.