So I’ve been thinking about getting M-dot tattoos for my kids. They are: girl, age 12, boy age 10. I’m thinking it would probably go on their ankle, and be an M-Dot, with “My Daddy is an IM” below it. It will have IM FL 2008 above it.
There are several reasons I’m doing this, and they’re all for my kids.
First. I love Ironman. I love it so much, that I want my children to have it so they can show off my accomplishments. When they’re at school, kids will ask about their tattoo and they can say “It’s because my daddy is and Ironman”.
By giving them the tattoo, they’ll have an incentive to stay at the venue until late at night when I finish, so they can run across the line with me. I’ll tell them that since they’ve got the tattoo, they will have to stay up late to cross the finish line in order to EARN the right to wear the tattoo.
On those Saturdays when other kids are doing fun stuff with their parents, and I’m out suffering on the bike; the tattoo will remind them of what I’m doing and why. They will know that I’m out on the bike so that they can wear the M-Dot. Instead of actually spending time with my kids, I’m out doing something for them. It will serve as a token of my unselfish behavior.
I’m also thinking of having my wife get a small tattoo on my wife’s chest. That will show my neighbor. He’s always over at the house when I’m gone all day for my long bike rides. Every time he sneaks a look at her breast, he’ll see that her husband is an Ironman. And, since she always wear those revealing tops when I’m gone and he’s around – he will be sure to see that tattoo.
I’ve thought about getting an M-Dot tattoo for myself, but for some reason that seems vain, and I don’t want to do it.
Actually it isn’t a troll post. This morning I was taking a shower and thinking about the time that I spent last spring training for a half-IM. Every beautiful saturday during spring (and we have a bunch of them in FL) - I was out on my bike. After finishing my race in May, I realized that I had shorted my kids out of the opportunities to do fun outside things during the prettiest time of the year. It is too hot to do much during the summer, so the spring is the best time to do things outside.
On those saturdays, I’d spend 4 hours on the bike, then come home tired and often short tempered. I’d take a nap to recover, and by then it was 2:00 or 3:00. My pursuit was depriving my children of the opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with their dad.
I wrote this while thinking about that. Not really trolling at all…
I’m sure that when they grow up they’ll appreciate you tattooing dumb shit on them about your accomplishments.
That aside getting your kids involved in your activities sounds like a good idea. Not sure how you could go about doing that.
Perhaps could get them to be keeper of the records they could help you with your training logs or timing your repeats or something like that. That way they are “helping”.
If you want to tattoo something do one on yourself then cut out the tattoo and the kids can take it to school for show an tell
Rick- I got it… very funny but at the same time… I’m not really laughing. I retired as a professional triathlete to be a stay at home dad with my son. I looked at all the hundreds of hours I spent training over the years and I realized I could never be the father that I want to be with another Ironman in my future. I of course was never good enough to even break even with my finances- despite finishing 13th at Kona- so my wife and I aren’t in a position like say, a Macca or a Cam Brown is where she wouldn’t need to work. I did the Ironman gig and I couldn’t justify taking time away from my son in order to get another finishers t-shirt. I raced 15 Ironmans with 6 at Kona so I’m satisfied… but I’m more satisfied spending my days with my son!! Cheers!
Tim Luchinske timluchinske.blogspot.com
It might be a good idea to go with something temporary. You don’t want their little lazy asses to get credit for an Ironman they didnt do, when they grow into adulthood.
There has been some wierd stuff on ST, but the has to be the worst so far. Where is Child Protective Services when you need them?
I’m not a literature major, but I think the original post sounded like the OP was using an outrageous example to make a point, like Jonathan Swift did in “A Modest Proposal.”
“…but I’m more satisfied spending my days with my son!!”
You said it all! When you’re much older and you’re holding your grandchildren, you’re not going to be thinking - “If only I’d spent a few more seasons racing IM’s”.
I’m struggling with trying to find a balance between doing things that are fun and/or healthy for me - yet not letting that compromise my time with my kids/family. I’m sometimes a slow learner, but I need to remember that if I’m going to err - it needs to be on the side of my children.
BTW - congratulations for accomplishing what you have in this sport. I would be happy with 13 in my AG, much less overall at Kona.
Wow. I can’t believe how many people are taking this seriously… even for ST. Maybe they need to lighten up and spend some more time with their family, rather than trashing people in the forum.
Great post Rick! May I also suggest a small trust fund for the kids that is only accessible after an age-group win at Kona. That’s pretty much the only way to ensure that they will be be upstanding contributers to society. Good luck.
Ya, right? …why don’t you do what other normal parents do? like buy a $1 temp M-dot tattoo and paste it on your kids forehead, so he can run around with the other kids at the finish line pointing to his forehead and shouting …Duh!..stupidest thing I have ever heard of…and I’ve said some stupid things!
