Runners & Tattoos...

ESVABelle

So I don't consider myself a runner...but I run a lot (about 15mi or more a week). I've lost a lot of people in the past year, but the one that hit me the hardest was my great-grandma. She was truly the matriarch of our family, she beat cancer four times, outlived three husbands, worked two jobs and lived by herself up until she passed away - she lost her fifth and final battle with cancer on Feb. 28
I want to get a tattoo honoring her - a hummingbird (her favorite) on my foot...about how long will I be off the pavement after getting a foot tattoo? I also want a family tattoo on my ribs...which will also hurt and affect running...So I guess my question is this:

If you're a runner and you've gotten a tattoo - how long until you were back to your A game? (And what'd you get? Where? I'm a big fan of ink)

rocketpants

First of all you're so a runner!!!

Second sorry for your losses this year!! it is hard to lose the great people in our lives.

I do have a tattoo, and I run. My advice would be to take it as an opportunity to do some strength exercises. Your main concern will be rubbing / irritation, and second sweat. My artists advice was I could return to exercise in 2-3 days, and to stop immediately if it felt irritated. Perhaps you could use the elliptical in just a sock to avoid the shoe rubbing it.

in any case your tattoo will be completely healed in 10-14 days so you should be able to return to your normal routine before then.

I would talk to your artist about it and follow his / her advice as they will be guaranteeing your tattoo

kb455

I got a foot tattoo and I wasn't supposed to let socks/shoes rub against it for 2 weeks. I got mine in the summer though so it wasn't too hard to do. I think a hummingbird would be really neat though and a nice way to honor your Gma.

Faintgreeneyes

I just recently got a tattoo on the inside of my left foot. My artist told me for at least a couple days to make sure I didn't wear anything tight around that area, so no socks or shoes. Not only for the irritation factor, but you don't want to sweat on it, and get an infection. I honestly waited about 5 days, until it started peeling, and I ditched the A and E ointment to put a shoe back on and get back to my normal routine.

As with what was said before, talk to your artist about it, and see what they say. Everyone is different, and everyone reacts differently to getting tattooed.

Sorry to hear about your losses, and good luck with your new art

fairycake25

Hi,

ive got quite a few tattoo's ive got one on my ribs, down my thigh and 3 on my back ....generally on your feet you should try not to really do much on it for about a week until it starts to heal properly or if its only small you should leave it for 2-3 days ...on your rib its not that bad when running just leave it a couple of days and when you run if it starts to get irritated just let some air too it ...hope this helps ( of you want to see placement of my tattoo on my side have a look at my pics) x

Boardergurl

I have both my feet done.... If you are getting a big one and it covers your foot it will depend on you... My first one I was fine and in skates (im a hockey player) in 2 days... My second one was a good two weeks... I swelled... mine are both black and white... But with color if you go that route it may be a bit longer.. Color takes alot more time to do and irriates the skin alot more. I would say if its going to cover your foot and be color maybe wait a week and determine how you feel.. I could walk fine but anything with pressure didnt "hurt" was just un comfortable!

Sorry for your loss.... its never easy! I find tattoos help me get over stuff like that when you dedicate them to someone or something!

Also if you are scabbing a bit (which you do with color) you may not want to run till the scabbing is done, cause it could pull the scab off and then you may scar!

ESVABelle

Thank you guys for your responses, I really appreciate the input :-)