My First-Ever Tattoo: From Promise to Reality

Back in March, I had promised that if I made my Team in Training fundraising goal for the NJ Long Branch Half Marathon, I would get my first-ever tattoo - a smaller version of this taco tattoo - by the end of the year. Well, I was about a month behind schedule, but on Sunday, January 27, 2013, I made good on that promise. It's still healing, but this is what it looks like 2 1/2 weeks later. It doesn't hurt, it just eventually needs to peel on its own, kind of like a sunburn.

(Click the picture to enlarge.)

The idea for a taco tattoo as a symbol for me to remember why I do my marathons and half marathons and who I do them for came about largely in memory of my friend Patty who lost her battle with cancer almost two years ago, and her love of Taco Tuesdays. Those of you who are friends with me on facebook know that I was already posting a weekly "Happy Taco Tuesday" status message in memory of Patty. The tattoo idea came about a bit later, and I just knew that a taco tattoo above my left ankle was the way to go. Now, whenever I look at it, I remember my friends who have kicked cancer to the curb, those currently fighting their battles, and those who have lost theirs. I have a feeling that the resultant innuendos are their gift back to me.

As some of you know, this was not a decision I made lightly. I had been thinking of doing this for a while, and wanted to make sure it was done right. My worst fear was that my tattoo would come out looking nothing like what I had in mind, or worse yet, that it would come out looking awful. So, when my finances finally allowed, I took my time, read reviews of several tattoo shops here in Queens, NYC, and finally decided on True Blue Tattoo in Middle Village, Queens. Why did I go to a tattoo shop halfway across Queens, when there were several closer shops in my immediate area? I don't know. Something about it just felt right, and I've learned to trust that feeling. I'm very glad I did. My tattoo artist was Louis Andrew, and I could not possibly have asked for a better fit both in terms of what I wanted to have done, and personality. I could tell right away that Louis truly loves what he does, and his portfolio is really amazing. I can't say enough great things about both the shop and Louis. I don't think I could have possibly had a better first-time tattoo experience.

For those wondering about the pain. I don't know if it was the spot on my ankle that I chose for the tattoo, or Louis, but it wasn't bad. I watched the whole thing as he was doing it, and the hardest part was staying still. There were a few spots where I really felt it, but even that wasn't overly painful. I didn't scream, cry or curse - not even once.

What Could be a Better Race for a Dance Walker...

than the Allstate 13.1 Disco Half Marathon practically right in my own back yard???

Yup, that's right. I've signed up for another 13.1 mile ordeal. One of these days, I may learn my lesson.

Actually, the timing on this is perfect. It comes at a time when I'm really working on getting back on track Weight Watchers-wise, and making a commitment to getting back to walking and going to the gym more regularly. Signing up for the Disco Half at the end of March will help by giving me a purpose and a definite goal to work towards. Since this will be my first half marathon since the Super Hero Half last May, my goals for this race are simple:

• Finish within the 3:30 time limit and get the medal
• Have FUN with it
• Ideally, run/walk using a 1 minute run/2 minute walk interval throughout the entire 13.1 miles
• Have FUN with it
• Pay more attention to strength training this time around
• Did I mention "Have FUN with it"???
• Get the medal :-)

I have some very definite advantages going into this. First of all, I'm very familiar with Flushing Meadows/Corona Park, site of the 1964/1965 World's Fair, as you can see from this picture:

(That's me and my twin sister in the stroller, getting ready to become dinosaur dinner.)

I live within five miles of the park, and I can get in some training miles on the actual race course on the weekends. I've done a few other races in the park, so I have a pretty good idea of what it's like to run/walk it. It's also one of the flattest race courses I've raced on. There's basically one hill, and that's a ramp to an overpass. I've already done a third of the race course back in November, when I did the FDNY Turkey Trot, and that was probably the worst third of it. So, there's no really good reason why I can't do this one.

It sure seems like a good idea...

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Why I'm Making Strides - Central Park NY 2012

Recently, I had a bit of a scare. I went for a mammogram, and got a call from my doctor that my results were abnormal, and that a second mammogram was needed. I scheduled my appointment, and began the nerve-wracking experience of worrying and waiting. The day of the second mammogram came, and after the films were taken, I was led into the ultrasound room for additional imaging. To say I was scared would have been an understatement. Fortunately, the radiologist was able to determine that the nodule was not cancerous. However, it was deep, and hard to determine what it was. A few weeks ago, I had a biopsy. The results came in a few days ago. It was a fibroid. I heaved a huge sigh of relief. My lump was not cancerous.

I was lucky. Many women are not. I don't know how I would've handled it had my lump turned out to be breast cancer. This is why I am Making Strides.

2012 Making Strides of Central Park NY

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