Cheryl Coletti-Lawson’s Marathon Swim Story
It’s hard to believe that it was just three years ago, at 50, that a friend convinced Cheryl to try a sprint triathlon. Having not swam since high school and with her wetsuit on backwards, she tackled the 300m meters in the water. And while the running particularly, and cycling, didn’t stick, she keeps tackling one challenge after another in the water.
It gave me goosebumps when Cheryl described the newly discovered sense of confidence she developed after completing her swim across the width of Lake Tahoe last year. She’s ready to see how far she can swim. And there’s no stopping her.
In her own words: The first and most important role I have is a mom to my awesome teenage children Brianna and Garrett. Being their mom and trying to be a good role model is the greatest job I have. I am the chief operating officer at our family business.
My teenage years and young adulthood was fraught with great challenges and adversity. I struggled, albeit successfully, as a high functioning alcoholic never giving thought to sport.
In 2017, someone suggested I participate in a sprint triathlon. I didn’t enjoy the bike, I hated the run, and the 300 yard open water swim scared me to death. Right before the swim, my friend commented that I had my wetsuit on backwards! Go figure.
Something sparked inside me that day and I fell in love with open water swimming. I met my current swim coach, Bob Fernald, that summer at an open water swim event. The following year in 2018, I swam a 10K at the Kingdom Games and 10K in Barbados. I was part of a relay team at IMMT that August. Towing the start line with 2500 other participants in a mass start was not for me! I completed the 2 1/2 mile swim and swore to myself never again. My interest in open water swimming turned to solo marathon swimming. Since then, in 2019, I completed the 12 mile length of Lake Tahoe and I swam the 10k Around the Sound in Bermuda. In 2020, with all events cancelled due to COVID, my awesome crew and I pivoted to local swims. I completed the first documented 12.28 mile double crossing of Newfound Lake of the first documented 16 mile double crossing of Lake Sunapee, both here in New Hampshire.
In marathon swimming, I find peace, serenity, and the calm within the storm. I don’t race against anyone, I don’t swim to beat another person‘s distance or time. I swim in complete gratitude for the confidence I have developed in myself through my marathon swimming accomplishments. We all fight our own demons. Swimming helps me quell the noise of negativity and empowers a positive mindset. I am grateful for the amazing people I have met and the friendships that have evolved in the open water swim community.
I swim in gratitude of my sobriety for without it, I would never have set foot in the water. I have an amazing husband who supports me in all things swimming. I have a superb crew who, without them, my marathon swimming would never be possible. I swim alone but it takes a team to help me succeed.