Chicago Marathon Race2Raise Team

Hi everyone! 

As many of you may know, I've recently jumped feet first into the triathlon community. Along the way, I stumbled upon a local Chicago organization called Dare2Tri. Dare2tri is an Illinois-based 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization with the mission to positively impact the lives of athletes with physical disabilities and visual impairments by developing their skills in paratriathlon. Dare2tri empowers individuals with disabilities and gives them the opportunity to be physically active, engaged with their community, and helps them set and reach goals. Dare2tri changes lives by boosting individuals’ self-esteem, confidence, and self-worth.

I dipped my toe in slowly but surely to the Dare2tri family by volunteering at registration of a day-long Multi-Sport clinic introducing all things swim-bike-run. After volunteering at registration, I wanted in on the action! I was privileged to join Dare2tri as an athlete guide for the Learn2Tri camp in mid-June where I was paired with an amazing woman named Linda. The camp was designed for athletes who were just getting in to the sport to explore and learn about triathlon before capping the weekend off with a sprint Triathlon put on by Dare2tri. The weekend was special, not just for the athletes but also for the guides. Linda and the other athletes at camp dragged me around all weekend showing their triathlon chops and taking names left and right. The words "I can't" were never muttered the whole weekend, the sheer grit and determination of all of the athletes, coaches, guides and volunteers was bar none. The moment I arrived I knew it was going to be a special weekend and I left camp with all of the warm and fuzzies, wondering how can I do more to support this incredible, empowering organization? 

Dare2Tri is one of the many Chicago organizations that assemble teams to fundraise and run the Chicago Marathon each year. I volunteered at the marathon with the Disabled Athletes group this year and decided 2020 was going to be my year and that it was going to be on team Dare2Tri. After all, 2020 is my 26th year of life so I felt it was symbolic. ;) As fate would have it, Dare2tri released their applications to run on the team and I jumped on the opportunity to represent a more than deserving cause. So...you're probably wondering, "Taryn, this is getting long - what's your point?" I'm so glad you asked! As part of the Dare2Tri team, I have set a goal to raise $1,500 before the marathon in October next year. I would be forever grateful to have your support going in to full marathon training (my first, if I didn't already mention that!) and representing this amazing organization. And bonus! Your contributions are tax deductible! Thank you in advance for supporting Dare2Tri and remember to #BeBrave and #DoEpicShit.