Running with a new tattoo?

I'm hoping that there may be some tattooed runners around here that can give me some advice...

I had a tattoo on the top of my foot and up my ankle last Thursday.  Do you think it's ok to start running again now (been five days)?  Or will socks and trainers aggravate it?

I'm not doing much running at the moment anyway as I'm in a bit of an injury recovery stage, but I'm itching to get back out!

If it's still scabbed over definitely not, a run is not worth ruining a tattoo over! If you're recovering from injury you could always go for a walk instead? Mine is on my back and I didn't run for a week after getting each section done (two sessions) - did a bit of gym work, but tried not to get the tattoo too sweaty or let it rub on my clothes too much.

Just think that in a one year, ten years and fifty year's time you will still have the tattoo but the run will be long forgotton about!

PS, what did you get and how much did it hurt? I've been wanting one on my foot

sarah if you are 15 you are too young for a tattoo seriously my tattooist recomends a fortnight before any exercise, sun bathing swimming etc. even if the scab has fallen off he says ink can still seep out through sweat.

 iam having some work done on one of mine tomorrow but ive just done edinburgh so need a rest anyway

better be safe than sorry

Hehe wanderer no I'm not 15

Carrot - I'm fed up of walking!  It's a wavy design of various sized stars, starting from just below my big toe and going up to just above the ankle bone.  How much did it hurt?  I think the comment I made at the time was "yikes (or words to that effect) are you sawing my foot off or what?!".  The tattooist left it until after he'd finished to mention that it's probably the most painful place to get one.

I may wait for another week then just to make sure.  As you all say I guess it's better to make sure it heals properly to look good for ever; a 20 minute run/walk session isn't worth it (even though it's the most I've been able to do since the beginning of March!).

Sarah - hate too tell you this and the tattooist should off told you this too - but most tattoo's on feet don't take. Something too do with all sweat&heat!

Love it! wrote (see)

Sarah - hate too tell you this and the tattooist should off told you this too - but most tattoo's on feet don't take. Something too do with all sweat&heat!

I hadn't come across that in all the research I've been doing.  My feet are generally always cold (apart from when I stick them in trainers!) so here's hoping!

Sarah, your tattoo sounds lovely  With where it is I'd wait until it's healed before training - I managed to knock part of the scab off one of mine and it's taken ink with it (grrr!).

I'm sure it'll be fine - you've had it done at the right time, as it's warm enough to leave it uncovered. Make sure you put sunblock on it though, to avoid fading.

Sarah, is that your first tattoo? It does sound really lovely.

Sorry to hijack this thread a little, but I have a question for all you experienced tattoo peeps...

I've been toying with getting one for ages and now quite seriously thinking of doing it - Trouble is, I've no idea where to start. How do you go about finding a good tattooist (any recommendations in the West Midlands area?). Also, are you meant to find your own design, I have a vague idea of what I'd like but don't have a specific design, or do they have lots of designs you can choose from?

Sorry to be a complete thickie on the subject, but it's all a bit of a venture into the unknown!

I had a small tattoo on my foot a couple of years ago then had the rest of it covered at the beginning of this year and it toot just great both times. as long as you look after it properly it will be no different from any other part of your body, just more painful and usually more swelling/brusing. I played a hockey match about 5 days after I had it done and it wasn't ideal. I had to put e45 on then wrap in clingfilm before I put my sock on so the scab didn't come off. It caught on one little bit so it took longer to heal.

I've also got a tattoo on my back and ran the day I got it done which I definaely sholdn't of because the sweat made the scab come off a bit early. Thankfully the ink still looks dark though so I was lucky.  

Juliefrazz: you don't have to have a deisign, most good shops will draw you something up if you don't have soemthing or you can take a picture in and they will do it from that. Where I went they didn't have stencils but some places should do but for me I'd prefer to have something a bit unique.

Thanks MrsPez. I think at the moment I'm more scared of the whole slightly intimidating process, rather than the thought of it being painful, but that may change nearer the time!

Juliefrazz, whereabouts in the West Mids are you? I can recommend Tribal Images in Stoke (Hanley) -http://www.tribalimages.co.uk/ .

I have a butterfly design that starts on my inner forearm and twists all the way up the back of my arm, finishing on the shoulder, and I love it so much - people are always commenting on it and asking where I had it done. The artist also reworked some lyrics I'd had done elsewhere but wasn't happy with, and they look way better now.

Also check out www.deviantart.com for inspiration - there are lots of fantastic ones on there (just do a search for the sort of things you have in mind, or look in the Body Art section under Traditional Art).

The perfect design will just come to you one day. I knew I wanted those lyrics, then spotted a gorgeous butterfly back tattoo on the internet, and the design just grew from there. I've since had microdermal piercings added to the upper arm and can definitely recommend those too!

As for the pain, it's really not that bad at all - in fact, I rather enjoy being tattooed. And pierced for that matter...

This is one of my favourite subjects, can you tell?

I have three tattoos - the first I got when I was 16 (yes illegally), that was a butterfly which i designed myself from another design and is on my tummy close to my knicker line. The second was a medium sized one on my right bum cheek, this one really hurt as it was on my hip bone and it took quite a while, but has colour and then I went back and added to it. My final one I got done last year and is a star on my foot, just a small one above my little toe on left foot.

 I love all of them and the one on my bum hurt the most by miles!! But each one was worth it and honestly even though it does hurt, its hard to explain, its a nice pain (if you can say that about pain) and it really is addictive. I always get nervous before having one done but the tattooists are usually really chatty and once they've started you get into this mindset where it almost feels numb rather than painfull. It just feels like someone is scratching you hard with a pin or needle (which I guess is exactly what it is)

 With regards to design I would suggest finding something you like and then make it unique - I personally would never have anything out of a tattoo book as its guaranteed someone else will have it (unless of course you just want a plain star or shape like I have on my foot)

 In response to Sarah - getting one on your foot is fine and takes just as well as anywhere else - getting one on the sole of your foot isnt recommended though but I cant see why anyone would want one on the sole of their foot anyway. I wouldn't risk running until its fully healed and when you do put lots of tattoo goo on it and wrap in cling film for the first couple of times to mimimise friction.

 Hope that helps xx

Is it a running tattoo?

If not, in no case should you try to run.

Thanks for the great advice everyone.

Sarah, sorry to hijack your thread!