[+] The Ink Advantage

Why Being Tattooed Makes You a Better Runner

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(Photo by Stephan Wieser, Tattoo by Pablo Sinalma)

As a runner with a fair amount of ink, I am often approached by curious people who want to know the story behind my tattoos.

Well, the story is that I got tattooed at some point.

But there's a reason why some of us runners actually get tattoos. It's not for the art, it's certainly not for the pleasure of pain, and most of them aren't even a reminder of a special moment in our lives.

No, we get them because they make us better runners.

The Extra Layer of Armor

Tattoos provide a psychological edge, like a full body armor suit – only a lot cooler and a lot less clunky. When you're running that extra mile and your quads are screaming, your posture is starting to resemble Quasimodo and your dignity is limping somewhere behind you, all you have to do is look at your ink and remember how cool you are. And handsome. And fast.

The Unspoken Credibility

Let's face it: tattooed runners just look tougher. The sleeves, the letters on the knuckles, the ink on the neck - they all scream:

"I've seen things. I've endured pain." (The Sixth Sense voice)

And in the world of running, endurance is everything. So when you're at the start line and you see a fellow runner covered in ink, you immediately assume they run ultramarathons for breakfast. Even if they can't, tattoos give you that effortless street (or trail?) cred without having to say a word.