New Ironman Tatoo and Bling

Yes - you read that right. I got Ironman Ink on Sunday...just not the traditional way.

When you get bike grease in an open wound, it turns into a tattoo. This one may be permanent too! I was being pretty stupid when I did this to myself. I stopped at a bike aid station and asked for sunscreen (dropped mine, of course, as soon as I got it out of my bento box). They said it was at the next tent so I "ran" while still straddling my bike and managed to ram the chain ring right into the back of my leg. I saw a little blood, but mostly grease, so I didn't think much of it. Not until I took a shower after the race did I realize how bad it was. So, 6 nice holes in the back of my leg. A lovely reminder of IMAZ that will be with me for a while.

A better memory though, is this:

I got the upgrade! My birthday IM bracelet was my silver "sport edition." My mom surprised me at breakfast the day after the race with this bracelet. This one is white gold and the diamond was my Aunt Linda's. She was my mom's sister and best friend who died of cancer a few years ago, so the bracelet is beyond meaningful. I didn't know my mom even had a diamond of hers, so it is just awesome.