July 2009 Tat of the Month

Kristin Loiko -  Running Lover, CT

This is Kristin's third tattoo, however her first running one.  Her bond with running wasn't love at first step.
"I remember repeating "I love to run" with every step I took until I convinced myself that I actually did love it," Kristin explained. "From there I entered a few races, did alright, and really enjoyed it. I ran more, and for longer, and actually scored a few medals."
Like any relationship, there are ups and downs. While having an affair with a softball game, disaster struck. "I tore my quad in two places and ended up out of running for almost a solid year."  However time heals most wounds, and Kristin eventually made it back to running. It wasn't easy, however. "Foolishly, I thought I could still compete right after I tore it, and completed in two back-to-back sprint triathlons, before realizing that I was doing some serious damage. So I took my time off, and slowly began to heal. My first run back was like reconnecting with an old friend. From that point on, I proclaimed that as long as I had use of my legs, I was going to use them." Use them she did.
"I trained and competed in my first 1/2 marathon (with my dad!), then took a deep breath and plunged into full marathon training. I finished my first marathon (in under 4 hours!) a month and a half before my wedding. The training helped keep my sane during the hectic bridal plans. As a wedding gift, my husband took me to get this tattoo." True love, indeed.

Special thanks to Jes at Body Graphics in South Windsor, CT.

Congrats to Kristin on earning a CRC gift certificate!

Do you want to be the running tat of the month? Send us a picture at info@columbusrunning.com or stop by the store. Please let us know why, how, and when you got the tattoo...

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