Half-Ironman Tattoo?

Not really common, yet 70.3 miles is a long way to some people.  I'm not going to knock someone for it.  Could be worse, they could have gotten this:

did you ask him when he's going back to get the other "Half"?

i kid, i kid. To each his own. If that was their goal when they set out in the sport and they achieved it, congrats on the effort and so be it.

I just finished my first Half Ironman in Racine. (currently training for a full IM) I knew I was going to get a tattoo if I completed it, but getting the M-dot was something I debated with myself a lot.  All the arguments about it being a corporate logo, not a full IM, etc.

For me it came down to the fact that the tattoo I wanted was going to tell a story about a significant part of my life and screw what anybody else thought.  Training for a half IM transformed my life for the better.  I lost a ton of weight, gained new friends, and am happier and healthier for it.

So just over a week ago I got my tattoo.  The M-Dot logo with the 70.3 and a Phoenix being reborn from it.  I have the the intention of filling in the 70.3 when I complete a full IM next year or however long it takes to get it done.

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/onastick/7763607728/)

There are options besides the m-dot.  I've posted pics of mine a few times in the past:

I got the sbr yin-yang circle along with the 70.3 after my first half, and added the 140.6 after my IM.

I saw a HIM M-dot tattoo at a race a few weeks ago.  It was the regular MDot, but only half of it was there.  It was cut in half diagnolly with an outline of the bottom half.  The guy says to me, I'm not  there yet, but a 70.3 was a huge deal to me.

I thought it looked pretty cool.

If it is your goal and your into ink - put 5k on your calf.  We can get a little slow twitch sometimes with ironman this and full vs half.  However, to many people a 10 k is a big deal.  We all know that it is all simply a choice to endure little suffering for a lot of fun and enjoyment.  However, that principle applies to 140.6, ultraman, and a 5k.  Just my little soap box sorry.  And ps I know ultraman may be alot more suffering to enjoyment ratio but give me that one as a part of my argument - as the trill afterwards would have to pretty high - but the ratio...

Tell me more about Cairns.  It's on my short list for my first IM.

Something like this was what I was planning on doing. I want to do a full as my goal but I definitely want to mark my halfway point so I was going to get half an M-dot and get it finished when I do my first full.

I have GOT to get this!  ha