Naperville man to take part in triathlon to benefit Easter Seals

A year ago, Naperville resident Aaron Rapier couldn't swim across the pool and back without running out of breath.

On Sunday, he plans to swim 2.4 miles, run 26.2 miles and bike 112 miles in the Ford Ironman Arizona in Tempe, Ariz.

The Naperville attorney has been training for months, but says it's more than good preparation that's going to take him across the finish line.

"If it were really just for you personally, I think it would be very difficult to stay devoted to it," he said. "If you are doing it for someone else, it's easier."

Rapier is running to raise awareness and funds for Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, which has provided services for his brother, David, since 2003.

David and his mom previously had lived in central Illinois, where there were far fewer services available for the severely disabled.

"Easter Seals is a wonderful organization," Rapier said. "People there are amazing."

Rapier has run in several marathons on behalf of Easter Seals over the past few years, but not an Ironman. He participated in his first triathlon 10 months ago in Galena, where the distances were much shorter.

"I enjoyed the challenge of three different events as opposed to just running," he said.

Since late fall he's stepped up his training to more than 10 hours of biking, three hours of swimming and four hours of running each week.

Running remains his strong suit, he said. Rapier participated in track in high school and started running marathons four or five years ago.

He swam as a kid, but not long distances.

"This will be the longest I ever swam," he said.

Rapier doesn't consider himself a serious cyclist, either.

"The bike (part) is 112 miles and I can do that, but nowhere near as quickly as some of these people," he said. "There are some very serious cyclists out there and I don't pretend to be one of them."

Rapier said he occasionally trains with the Multisport Madness group in St. Charles, but does most of his workouts alone. He doesn't join the die-hard cyclists on winter bike rides, but instead pedals indoors on a trainer in cold weather.

"Riding on a trainer indoors that long is really boring," he said. "I've been watching a lot of DVDs."

The key to training for him is not to be intimidated by it, he said.

"You just try to enjoy it and do the best you can and try to be satisfied with whatever it is you wind up with as your result," he said. "As long as you finish healthy and happy, it's a success."

Rapier does have a couple goals for himself. He'd like to finish the Ironman in 14 hours, three hours short of the 17 hours participants are allowed.

The divorced father of three, Rapier, will have his sons -- Peyton, 9; Aidan, 5; Gavin, 2, -- his girlfriend, Debbie, his dad and two brothers cheering him on.

He'd also like to raise $2,500 for Easter Seals. The amount is in line with what he's been able to raise at other events, he said.

For a few years, Rapier organized a softball game fund-raiser prior to the Chicago Marathon. People came, played softball and made donations to Easter Seals.

Rapier also has participated in Easter Seals' annual 5K run at its Villa Park location and other special events.

Rapier finds a way to help others while doing what he enjoys, said Mary Alice D'Arcy, executive director of Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region.

"There is always something beyond himself in what he does," she said. "He has such a spirit of reaching out to others with similar situations as his own family."

A member of The Collins Law Firm in Naperville, Rapier and the firm have done pro bono work for Easter Seals families. Rapier said the cases occur when insurance companies prematurely discontinue paying for therapy by claiming that the special-needs kids are not showing enough progress.

The problem is often solved by taking a close look at the insurance policy and working with the therapist to document the difference the therapy is making, Rapier said.

"In every case, we've won every single time," he said.

Rapier's own brother, David, 22, needs therapy even though he is too severely disabled to show dramatic progress, he said. Born prematurely, David suffered a prolonged seizure and brain injury when he was 7 and has cerebral palsy as a result.

Rapier said he is not sure how much David understands about him being in the Ironman, but his brother does know he has people who care about him.

"He certainly knows when the people who love him are there," he said.

Rapier said he would urge anyone to attend an Easter Seals event to meet other young people the organization serves.

"I would dare someone to meet some of these kids and not choose to become part of that organization," he said. "I don't think you can resist.'

Rapier's efforts will go to help support Easter Seals' Sponsor-A-Child program, which provides therapy to children and families who otherwise could not afford it.

To contribute, visit www.eastersealscom/goto/aaaronrapier or send your donation to Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, 830 S. Addison Ave., Villa Park, IL 60181.