First tattoo?

By , October 23, 2013 6:55 am

I can’t stop thinking about this tattoo that I first saw on Facebook, then later found on this site:

keeprunningtattoo

I don’t have any tattoos right now. I’ve thought about getting one for years – something either Star Wars or running related – but could never think of one that was the right “fit” for me.  Then I saw this picture. And I just keep thinking about it, and how much I like the “keep running” phrase! Was it meant to be? Ha ha. 

So I am considering getting a tattoo after my marathon, if it goes well, as a celebration. Just considering it. I think I’d actually like a tattoo on my shoulder area (I really like my muscular shoulders/back) but am not sure if a running tattoo makes sense on that part of my body. 

Anyway. Just thinking out loud. Or in writing. Or something. 

Do you have any tattoos? Of what? And where?

54 Responses to “First tattoo?”

  1. Rachel says:

    AHHH!! I’ve been wanting to get a running tattoo for a long time. Let’s go get one together!

    I have one, and it’s kitty cat paw prints on my hip. Of course.

  2. Kim says:

    Ooh fun! I would totally get a tattoo if I knew what I wanted and where and knew for sure I wouldn’t regret it. I like this one! And you do have great shoulders/back for a tattoo!

  3. bobbi says:

    I have a treble clef and music on my lower back. I have been wanting a couple more for a few years now. Thinking about this: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/145663369170713896/

    I also want a “J” – something like this: http://jherr54.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/j-in-leaf-script/ but prettier – more colorful…maybe some flowers in there…

  4. kelsey says:

    If you’ve been thinking about this for a long time do it!

    Plus, it’s super cool!

  5. Bean says:

    I have a Celtic symbol thingy on my hip that a friend drew for me that looks like a compass kind of- to me it means find your own way. I love that running tattoo. I think as long as it means something special to you you should do it. I think a running tattoo anywhere on your body makes sense. It takes the whole body to run soooo….makes sense to me. Can’t wait to see what you decide!

    • kilax says:

      Oh wow! That sounds so neat! Do you have a pic of it you could share?

      You are right! It does take the whole body. Thanks for pointing that out!

  6. Anne says:

    No tattoos on me, but mainly because I just can’t commit to anything. The only thing that made me really think about it was seeing Erin’s new tattoos this spring – I do definitely love my dogs enough for that. Anyway, I really like the “keep running” idea 🙂 I think if you really want it, you should go for it!

    And I think a tat would look awesome on your shoulders! What would you get there? No reason not to get something related to running elsewhere on your body, your legs aren’t all that make you a runner 😉

    • kilax says:

      Yes! I think an animal tattoo would be really meaningful too. I have thought about getting something for Dates… after he is gone. Which I don’t even want to think about.

      I really like the saying of this but am not sure how it would look on my shoulder! But I haven’t seen a running “icon” I like either.

  7. Declan says:

    I want a tramp stamp that is star wars related… it will say.. it’s a trap!!

    I have a <3 on the back of my neck.

  8. Carrie says:

    Love that tattoo!!! I have a few tattoos and each one has a special meaning to me. I got my first running related tattoo in February after completing my first half marathon. It is on the inside of my left ankle and is the numbers 13.1 with a wing coming off of them so it looks like a wing foot. I’m planning on getting the same but with 26.2 on my right ankle soon, since I just completed my first full marathon. My only advice is to stay away from the foot area or wait until you can take a break for at least two weeks while it heals. Rubbing = risk of fading and more importantly, risk of infection.

    • kilax says:

      Aww, neat! Your matching (ish) tats are going to be so cool! Thanks for the tip! Hmm, maybe that area is a summer activity?

      • Carrie says:

        Summer for sure! I got it done while visiting my Mom in Florida so wearing flip flops wasn’t a big deal while I was there. However, when I flew home to Chicago three days later and it was snowing, I wasn’t so excited about the location of my new art. 🙂

  9. I love it!!! I have a small tattoo on my shoulder blade, a product of being dumb and rebellious at 18. It’s a tribal sun that is absolutely meaningless.

    For some time, I wanted a tattoo that was more meaningful and I thought about getting something after Hood to Coast. Like a mountain with birds. I plan to do it on my spine, I think. Or my foot. I’ve coveted foot tattoos for some time. Because I’m weird.

  10. Heidi Nicole says:

    I’ve been oddly eying tattoos lately too…they are SO not my thing, but I really kind of want one. And I’d get one on my foot.

    I love the location of the one in the photo! Not sure I’d do “keep running” just in case running had to stop being part of my life, but something like “keep exploring” or “never stop”…crap, now I’m thinking about tattoos again!

  11. I do not have a tattoo and usually find most ugly or meaningless but this one I have become obsessed with! It has true meaning. You won’t see it all the time and it’s AWESOME. Do it!!

  12. J says:

    I don’t have any tattoos and wouldn’t consider getting any. Thats just the type of person I am, I can’t imagine having something on my body for the rest of my life. But i know a lot of people that have them and have gotten them for good reasons. Brian always said if he had gone to olympics (he wasn’t close or anything) but that would be a reason to get it. Or if he was in the military he might have gotten one with his platoon or whatever.

  13. Heather says:

    Love that tattoo!!!
    I have 4. Two from college = mistakes, lol. Plus one to celebrate my divorce on the top of my foot and one on the inside of my right ankle (26.2 tattoo!!).

  14. I’ve been debating getting a running-related tattoo too but I’m not sure what I’d want and where I’d want it. I really like the keep running though! Do it!

  15. Dave2 says:

    I now have three. They’re like potato chips in that you can’t have just one!

  16. Kandi says:

    I don’t have any tattoos and always thought I’d never get one but I’m not going to say never. I’ve seen some tattoos that I like and maybe someday I’d consider one but not any time soon.
    Joey and his siblings talked about getting tattoos to honor their mom but they never decided on anything. He’s the only one of his siblings that doesn’t have a tattoo.

  17. I like tattoos… on other people. I have no desire to get on myself but really like the cute ones I see on other people. That Keep Running would be really cute. I like it!

  18. Amy says:

    Get it! I don’t have one, nor do I have any desire to, but something like this is just so perfect for runners. Especially distance runners.

  19. Erin says:

    Well, you know I have four 🙂 And I still want to get a running one some day. If you keep thinking about that picture and those words then I think you’ve found your tattoo. But if you’d prefer it on your shoulders/back then do that. “Keep Running” refers not to just your love of running but your love of movement, exploration, and desire to be active. Which means I think you could put those words anywhere on your body where they mean something to you.

    • kilax says:

      So true! Thanks for writing it that way! 🙂 You always help me see things from the big picture (lol, since that is so important when considering tattoos).

  20. Kristina says:

    There is this woman in our spinning class who has a teeny little cyclist tattooed around her ankle. It’s actually one of the only tattoos that I see and think “How cool!”.

  21. I’m the same as you. I don’t have any but have always thought of getting one. I like the one you pictured and even thought “Oh, I could get that!” when I saw it in my FB feed. I think you should get one that’s meaningful to you. I’m thinking if I’m successful completing the Ironman I might get one (not the branded one, but something).

  22. Losinglindy says:

    I currently have 3, but would love to get one on my foot with 13.1 somehow included

  23. Jen says:

    That tattoo would be extremely painful — feet are sensitive and bony. Fleshier body parts hurt less, from everything I have heard.

    I got a tramp stamp before my 30th birthday, and before I knew the term tramp stamp.

  24. jan says:

    Yikes, that location looks like it would really hurt! Maybe I’m just wimpy in general. I don’t have any tattoos and don’t think I’d get one, but I think they’re very cool.

  25. Irina says:

    You and I are seriously on the same wavelength lately! I’ve been contemplating getting a teeny tiny tattoo for years already and actually bit the bullet (is that the right saying? :/ ) this weekend. Unfortunately, the location I wanted to get it in was “not recommended” by the tattoo artist so I left tattoo-less. I’m not giving up though…I want it more than ever now! Anyway, I say go for it 🙂 I love that the tattoo pictured above is applicable to so many aspects of life while still tying back to running. Running is life’s ultimate metaphor!

    • kilax says:

      OOO! I want to hear all about yours! And how could there be a “not recommended” area? LOL. Because of fading?

      Yes! It does mean much more than running!

      • Irina says:

        haha it wasn’t a scandalous area or anything, just one where apparently the tatto won’t take and will fade. I won’t give up though!

  26. Stephany says:

    I’m getting a tattoo on my birthday! (Well, the day after probably since my birthday is on Thanksgiving.) I’ve been thinking about it for a year and a half and I’m excited to just get it done.

    I love that tattoo idea but I agree with everyone else – that seems like SUCH a painful place to get a tattoo. I suck at pain. Ha. But you would be SUCH a badass if you did it! Although you already are pretty badass anyway so I don’t think that’s an issue! 🙂

    • kilax says:

      Ooo! What are you getting? Is it top secret?! 🙂

      LOL! It probably would hurt there, but I bet I could handle it if I really decided I wanted it there! 🙂

  27. wow I love that too!! I’ve totally debated one for years, but haven’t. I think if I were to do a full Ironman then I’d get one…but I want the word “believe” or “gratitude” or something like that.

  28. Marcia says:

    No tats for me. I struggled with the decision to get my friggin ears pierced. I do love them on others though. I’ve seen many running related ones on shoulders…it would always show when you run in a tank. Cool!

  29. Emily says:

    Kim! I absolutely love this tattoo and remember you mentioning it while we were running Prairie State! I say go for it!!! It is SO YOU!!!

    I don’t have any tattoos and I am like Marcia in that it was difficult for me just to get my ears pierced way back when, LOL.

    • kilax says:

      Aww, thanks! 🙂

      My mom never got her ears pierced! And since writing this… two of my siblings have told me they want tats… what will mom think? Uh oh! LOL

  30. Maggie says:

    I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for a loooong time, but struggle with what and where. I have a lot of ideas, but am not ready to commit to anything. So instead I just pin all of my ideas: http://www.pinterest.com/notmargaret/tattoo/

    • kilax says:

      Oh gosh. You have found some really, really cool ones. My dental hygienist has a tree with branches on her back and some of the birds are flying up her neck and I think it’s SO cool! The Chicago and star ones are super cool too!

      What do you think will help you decide what to choose and go for it?

  31. Pam says:

    I have one. It’s a floral tramp stamp that I got about 8 years ago. I’d love to add more to it to make it go across more of my back. I’ve been thinking about getting a second one too! Something animal/rescue related, but I’m not sure exactly what or where on my body. I love that “keep running” one up there, but I bet that would hurt like hell in that spot!!!!

  32. martymankins says:

    That keep running is clever for a tattoo.

    My first (and only) tattoo is of ChillyWilly on my upper right bicep

    http://www.chillywilly.org/images/mm-tattoo-rightarm.jpg

    I would love to add to it someday, but I need to do it in the next year or two.

    • kilax says:

      Oh cool! Why didn’t I know you had that?! What do you think you would add to it? 🙂

      • martymankins says:

        I want to add a whole mountain theme behind it, with an ice lake under ChillyWilly and the ice sheet he is floating on. I had thought I would add it all years ago (i’ve had the tattoo for almost 14 years now), but never went back to get it done.

  33. Lindsay says:

    Of course you know that I have a running one! You commented on the blog post after all! 🙂 http://lindsaycb.blogspot.com/2009/10/tattoo.html but I do love the “keep running” phrase, it could mean so many other things than just what you do for exercise!

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