I posted the question on facebook wall and a group i am in “You know your an Ironman When…” The response was overwhelming, I stopped keeping track over 300 responses. In order of frequency below were the responses:

• Wear it with pride
• Why ?
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Baby Oil
• Hand sanitizer
• Tape (packing, duck, scotch)
• Nail Polish Remover
• Olive/Coconut Oil
• Vaseline
• Soap and water
• Skin regenerates as your age so just let if go naturally
• Chlorine
• Baking Soda
• Tea Tree Oil
• Spray Tan
• WD40
• Windex
• Acetone
• Dr. Dronner’s soap
• Color Arm black
• “Awesome”
• Goo Gone
• Loofa
• Belt Sander
• Spot Shot
• Grease Monkey
• Make up remover
• Arbonne
• Mary Kay
• Gasoline wire brush
• Billo
• Sand paper0
• Pull-UP

My first attempt was a cool shower with soap and water after the race. I did not scrub very firmly since I had a sunburn.

My second attempt was the pool water on Monday.

My third attempt Tuesday was a pull up, was surprised that did not work :). Then alcohol and hand sanitizer. Nothing. The reason I posted the question on facebook.

Even 3 days later, swimming in the Rez, the numbers did not disappear.

Wednesday evening I gathered the products listed above that I had in my house and got to work. (I forgot to try the Olive Oil, Coconut oil and baking soda)

Alcohol did not work 24 or 72 hours later

 

The second highest response was baby oil. I see some some number rubbed off

 Vaseline was not a winner

 

I was surprised sunscreen did not work. For ink marked number applying sunscreen takes them off easily 

Rubbing with billo did not work

 Lotion was not a winner

   Goo Gone did not do the trick

     

Although Packing tape, duck tape and scotch tape got many votes, numbers were still on!

Baby Oil was the winner!

 

I am sure that over time, the numbers would have come off naturally with multiple showers, swimming in the lake and chlorine. I did not want to wait that long.

To answer the question WHY?, why not leave them on with pride? Leaving temporary tattoos does not equate to pride. Training and racing is personal to me, I do not need to show it off with big numbers on my arm. My results speak for themselves.