Thursday, March 6, 2014

I Finally Did It!

I've been planning my running tattoo for well over a year, but it wasn't until Christmas when I started to get really serious about it. Once I decided to get it as a gift, instead of just shelling out the cash for no reason, it was easier to wrap my mind around it.

I wanted a tattoo that could be running-related but would also be relevant otherwise...something that encompassed both my running story and my vision for my life. I wanted something meaningful to me, romantic but not sappy, not trite or overdone. (Can you tell I was a tattoo newbie? If I had known how much of a non-issue it would turn out to be, I don't know if I would have chewed on it for so long.)

Sometime last year, I finally chose a quotation from an essay-turned-song written by Mary Schmich, which I play for my students every year as they prepare to leave the small pond of middle school for the high school ocean. It has always resonated with me; it's a lesson that speaks to the runner in me while also illuminating a much bigger picture.

 A few weeks ago, Kristin (from Ragnar) took me to her tattoo artist so I could check the place out and make an appointment, which we set for March 4.

So, Tuesday rolls around and I'm not the least bit nervous. In fact, all I felt was moderate excitement of the "finally!" kind. I'd been waiting for this for so long that I didn't even really have butterflies! It just felt right.
No, I'm not white-knuckled; my hands were loosely clasped here, I swear.
I was only in the chair for about 15 minutes. Charlie was professional, fast, and efficient. Actually, it didn't hurt at all! (I made the mistake of asking, "Is this it? Is it even in?", a comment which Matt, Kristin, and Charlie found pretty hysterical.)
It's coming along!
This is my first-ever tattoo. It felt like I was being bitten by a mosquito. It only turned into a "bee sting" kind of pain when the needle came close to my bone. Still, I didn't even break a sweat.
All done!
I'm really happy with the results. In a way, I feel like I've had the tattoo forever, maybe because I've been planning it for so long. It doesn't seem like some weird, foreign writing on my body, which I was afraid it might.
Archie approves!
I can't wait for it to heal completely so I can put sunscreen on it and wear tank tops again when I run. For now, it has to stay out of the sun completely, which means it won't make its race debut until April. It will have to be covered for my 5k this weekend.

But I know it will give me an extra boost internally on race day; it will be there always, reminding me of how far I've come, how far I have to go, and that this race - and every race I run - is mine, and I should run it accordingly.

Do you have, or would you get, a tattoo? 
Is it running-related?

ABK

29 comments:

  1. I have one tattoo but it is not running related. I love it though and have never regretted it like so many people told me I would. Yay you!

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    1. I don't think I've ever met someone who regretted a tattoo, but I've also never met someone who got one drunkenly hehe!

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  2. That is so awesome. I am jealous - I've been wanting to get one for a long time (not running related) and keep not doing it for money reasons.

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    1. Mine ended up only being $80. I was shocked!!

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  3. I have 3 tattoos...I warn you...they are addictive. I have a frog, the Chinese letters that represent mother and daughter (my mom got the same thing on her 65 birthday) and last year I got a running person on my left wrist.

    Love that you took lots of time in deciding what you wanted to get...it's with you forever!!!

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    1. Yeah I'm already kind of thinking ahead to what I may want next, but it wouldn't be for a few years yet.

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  4. Oooh, I love it!

    Okay, you must be so tough! When I got my running chick on my ankle, I whined like a baby and thought he was cutting my foot off, lol. I have two tattoos in total. I think I'm done now, ;)

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    1. I think the ankle WOULD hurt more, but I do have a high tolerance for pain. Maybe I'm built for tattoos haha!

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  5. I think that is SO awesome! I've always thought I'd like to get a tattoo someday, but my husband thinks they're really stupid. I tried to convince him we should get them in Vegas one time but he wasn't buying it and any suggestion I made that only I get one was totally scoffed at. I'll admit though, I haven't found anything deeply meaningful that I'd get, so until I figure that out, it's probably best not to get one or I'll just regret some un-meaningful tattoo later.
    So I'm curious - what were your husband's thoughts on your tattoo? (or did you care what he thought?)

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    1. Matt has a tattoo in the same spot I have mine. He got it when he was 16, and designed it himself. So, he was supportive in that respect. He was hesitant because it took me SO long to decide on exactly what I wanted, so he was worried I'd get it and regret it. But once I made the appointment and showed I was serious about it, he went along with it. (If I hadn't set the appointment without him, I'm not sure he ever would have gone along with it...he wasn't against it, but I really didn't care if he was planning to "let" me or not, so it was a moot point haha!)

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  6. Awesome!!! I love the "Wear Sunscreen" speech. Hallmark turned it into a cute little "quote" book which I just adore :)

    I love the saying of your tattoo and what it represents. I almost teared up at the end of your post. Ever since I decided I wanted to run a marathon, I have been so emotional about running! I don't know what it is!

    Congrats on this awesome new phase in your life! You are so awesome Ali, never forget that!

    I don't have a tattoo, I don't know if I could ever get one! Gunshow has 4 though!

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    1. It's funny, because this one took me SO long to get. I've wanted once since 2007. I never thought I'd follow through!

      Running makes me emotional, too! We're in the same boat!

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  7. I love it!! I've always wanted a tattoo, but I am a huge wuss when it comes to needles!

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    1. Saaame. Like, I'm the kid that ran out of the doctor's office with my pants down to avoid booster shots. But this feels literally nothing like a needle!

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  8. WOW! Congrats! The tattoo looks great and the quote is so perfect.

    I have a pretty low tolerance for pain so I think if I ever got a tattoo it would have to be super small. Like maybe just the word "run" because I don't think I could sit through a whole quote. Or maybe just the letter "r"... I mean, I would know what it stood for and that's all that matters hah.

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    1. LMAO. Oh this cracked me up! I think placement is key for pain when it comes to tattoos...but a cute little "r" right on the wrist might be perfect!

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  9. Someday I'd love to get a Cleveland Browns helmet on my shoulder. I think that's the only thing that has remained constant in my life that I've enjoyed for decades. I love running, but I'm not sure what I'd get that's running-related.

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    1. I can see how a sports team would be a good choice to go with, especially if you feel like their seasons have brought you through life in some way. (As a former Clevelander, I do have to giggle at the Browns though, because we both know they've had their tough times! Maybe that's why they're so inspirational!)

      I like mine because it's running-related, but originally the quote is about life, not running. So it goes both ways.

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  10. WOW congrats! I think it is interesting that you feel like you had it forever since you planned for so long. I love that quote soooo much. I don't have a tattoo but I do have my naval pierced and plan to keep it that way as long as I can still rock a bikini!

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    1. It's like it became part of me before it really was!

      Girl, you'll be able to rock a bikini forever. You've got this exercise thing DOWN.

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    2. Oh and ARCHIE!!! He is soooo radiant.

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  11. AHHHH! LOVE it!! I have four tattoos but none are running related... shocking right? I've been considering it for a while now but just haven't jumped on number five.

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    1. Everyone says it takes 5 years to get the first and 5 minutes to get the second, but it's clear you're pretty discerning. I'm surprised none of yours are running related!

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  12. SO great!!! I don't have a tattoo and the only way I would get one is if I do an Ironman. So I probably will never get one!!

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  13. I just realized that I read this on my way into class on Thursday and I never commented! I absolutely love it! It's so classy and looks fantastic right on your shoulder!

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    1. Thank you! I love it more and more everyday!

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  14. I love it! I'm scared to get a tattoo, but I think if I ever got one I'd want one of those running feet with the wings on it? Around my ankle somewhere - which would probably be super painful haha.

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    1. I think those sneakers with wings tattoos are adorable! I've definitely heard ankles are painful for tattoos, though!

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