Mark Durrant - London, UK
Name: Mark Durrant. Age: 57 Known as: Currant Bun - when at school
Born in Peckham (SE London). Currently living in Redbridge (London)
After 30 years working for London Underground (Transport railway system) I was released 2 years ago and currently retired!
Who is Mark Durrant? A fun, happy loving guy who gets on with everybody. Someone who embraces life to its fullest and the challenges which comes with it.
Editor: After a 40 year gap between lessons, in 2020 Mark took up an opportunity to face his fear of swimming when seeing a local advertisement for open water swimming ‘induction’ lessons. He said at the time, swimming in a lake was ‘not for people of colour like me’. Mark not only completed the induction process, he is now a ‘swimmer’.
When I decided to launch Swim People Living Stories it was not only about people who have been swimmers all their lives. I also wanted to feature people who came to swimming later than many. Mark’s story fits wonderfully into this latter category. Big thanks for sharing, Mark.
Mark, give us an overview of your current swimming week.
“I usually fit in four swims a week, occasionally managing a fifth. Two of my session are 60 minute coached sessions with East London Triathletes (ELT) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Waltham Forest
“On Mondays I’ll swim solo for an hour, and Saturday mornings I aim for an open water swim in the Luxborough Lakes.
“The open water swim is currently only 20-minutes as the water temperature is 6 degrees Celsius, requiring a wetsuit.
“When it warms up in the UK, in May, I’ll also OWS on Wednesday evenings, a 60-minute coached session. Again, wearing a wetsuit.”
What is your background in swimming Mark?
“I saw a class of swimmers one evening by chance and enquired who they were and could I come along. Soon after I joined the East London Triathletes (ELT) just before the lockdown of 2020. After only three sessions, due to the Covid lockdown, it had to stop. When I was able to restart it became clear I needed to improve, and the only way was to spend more time in the water swimming.
“On Mondays I help as a volunteer as a classroom assistant in a primary school, and in the middle of the day I’ll swim for an hour and just enjoy myself. This swim is a chance for me to practice the technique tips and suggestions I received from the previous week’s coached sessions. I would normally cover about 1100m, sometimes just a bit more, depending on how I feel.
“I do this swim to reinforce my technique adjustments and development because I know the following day I’ll need to be ready for my coached session.
“On Tuesdays I swim with ELT at 9pm for an hour. This session will usually cover 1600m, predominately swimming at my zone 2 pace.
“This session always has a specific goal to aim for and achieve. For example, if focusing on the arms, then the coach will provide detailed explanations and demonstration on where the arms are to be throughout the stroke cycle.
“During the hour, the coaches provide regular technique feedback and guidance, which I soak up. I really enjoy these sessions as I’m learning something new all the time, even at my old age.
“Although I am currently in the most junior lane, I have ambitions to move up a lane in time. In my lane, there are four of us. I’m the weakest but it doesn’t stop the others from encouraging me. I learn from them and it’s just fascinating to know that others too are, like me, new to swimming, or they have returned to the pool after years of being away from any sort of proper organised swimming.
“I was fortunate to hear about ‘Be Endurance’ starting Open Water Swimming (OWS) near where I live. After connecting with this group, I have never looked back. On Wednesday evenings, in my summer (May to September) we swim in the Luxborough Lakes.
“Here is where I experienced OWS for the first time and I’ve leant so much in the short spell of time. For example some of the things I’ve learned include:
1. How to put on, and take off, a wetsuit (with the zip at the back).
2. How to OWS and the differences between OWS and pool swimming.
3. How to carry out sighting (looking at fixed objects and not the Ice Cream Van) whist swimming.
4. Breathing techniques (and why it’s important to learn to breath on both sides, especially on windy days).
5. How to stay afloat on your back should you get tired (lifting your hips and tilting your head back).
6. What to do in an emergency, and so forth.
“Also, I get a chance to OWS and enjoy myself doing it - the best part.
“You need to understand that many people of colour in the UK, including ethnic minorities, just do not swim. Those of us who do swim, will never ever elect an open water swim or wild swimming. I was fortunate to experience it just once in 2021 and now I love it. One of my aims is to tell others, irrespective of their background, to give it a go (especially in the warmer months). I know many would love it.
For somebody who never gave a second thought about nature in a lake in the past, I can now appreciate the evenings of the summer months so much more. It just makes you understand and appreciate you can live in a built-up city of nearly 9.6-milliion people, but still have the peace and tranquility literality on your doorstep.
“I love these evenings; you get to see nature at its best. On occasions I will see a family of ducks or swans go by. At times, very close. It makes you realise how you can live alongside nature and that a symbiotic relationship can be formed.
“I would never have dreamt that I would be saying or doing this ten months ago, as I would never have gone into a lake. I would have told you that it’s not for me and it’s for those crazy people who want to get in that dirty water. I could not have been more wrong!
“It’s peaceful, with lovely surroundings and the water is warmer than I initially thought - reaching 17 degrees in the summer months.
Mark and Dermott (BeEndurance)
“My OWS group is usually 10 swimmers strong. Some are a similar standard to me but most are ahead of me. All are learning new skills and techniques on the basics of OWS such as how to turn quickly around the marker-buoys and how to swim straight in the open environment. I find the sessions highly enjoyable as we are all learning and experiencing new facets of swimming together.
“On Thursday evenings I have another 60-minute coached session with ELT. Often, we will work on our Critical Swim Speed (CSS) which is defined as the theoretical fastest pace you can maintain continuously without exhaustion. Aka aerobic swimming threshold.
“The CSS is calculated using my 400m (10:37), 200m (4:25) and 100m (2:43) time trial results. Approximately each 8 weeks we retest to monitor progress and/or improvement.
“I would normally do a warm up of up to 16 lengths to get my heart rate up at the start of an evening session. My pool sessions include a mix of drills such as clench fist, single arm, sculling, straight arm recovery. I’m beginning to grasp the concept and importance of a regular breathing pattern (bubble, bubble, breath), and so much more. Also 1-6-1 swims (1 arm over, 6 kicks then other arm over and repeat), shoulder taps with your fingers touching your shoulder as your arm comes over. Sometimes I’ll end with a 100m repeat at 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% effort. This is my hardest and unfortunately, I end up swimming the final part slowly just to complete it.
“Recently I was swimming at 35 strokes per length (making lots of splashes and turbulence) and I was advised to slow my stroke rate down, stretch fully out before my catch phase and raise my elbows higher when coming out the water. By the end of the session, I was completing the same length in 28 strokes in a slightly quicker time. This makes me realise why coached sessions are so important and to listen to learn from them – a bit like our parents in our younger days. Oh, how I wished I had listened more.
“I am indebted to the coaches for their wisdom, guidance and instruction. They have so much knowledge they want to impart to others which I would only wish others would join and come along. I’m so thankful for them as I’ve learnt so much in such a short spell of time – Thank You!”
How has the coaching helped you, Mark?
“I am so grateful for the coaches at ELT and how they take time to work alongside me to improve. Since joining the group, it has made me realise the importance of a coach and someone who can guide you through technique changes.
“I now realise the importance of having your arm and hand in the correct position when in the catch position. Previously I had always taken it for granted that you simply stretch your arm out-front. How wrong I was. I’ve learnt why you start your kick movement from the hips (and not your knee) and it was a coach who saw what I was doing wrong and showed me how to correct it and improve.”
Mark with coach Dawn (top left) With ELT squad (top right) and between sets (lower)
Why do you swim Mark?
“I’m always a person who is up for a challenge. I’ve always been fearful of the water and had not had a proper swimming lesson since I left school nearly 40 years ago. I would only ever attempt to swim breaststroke as you could keep your head out of the water, breath easily and most of all you can see where you’re going. I would only paddle in a small pool whilst on holiday.
“I realised I had to do more and so I made my mind up to conquer my fear of water and embrace the challenge. The only way I could do this was to get in the water, and now the rest is history.
“In October 2021 a tragedy struck in my life when I lost my only younger sister unexpectedly. I was in complete shock and I took it extremely badly. I couldn’t understand why, how could this be and most of all why her? One minute she was here and the next she was gone. This made me angry, begin to question life, its purpose and my mind was going around at 100 miles per hour.
“During the initial shock of coming to terms with it all, one of the things that helped me out was to swim in open water. Although it was for only 10-15 mins on a Saturday morning (and forfeiting Park Run 5k) I was able to try and forget so many issues in my life for that brief period.
“I was out in the open air, enjoying nature and I was able to gain some strength and peace within my inner being. To me it was therapeutic and I had a chance to reflect on the good times we had together, the happy times, knowing life will never be the same.
“At the end of the session and getting out, I realised that I had to come back to reality and a normal life, but for that brief period of time in the water I was at peace, not allowing my mind and inner thoughts to get the best of me. I love her and she will always be on my mind and in my heart.
“As a result of swimming, I would say that my overall wellbeing has improved, I’m much stronger, fitter and my stamina has improved. I ran a 5km PB (23:35) last month by taking care of my physical fitness and looking after my body.
“Mentally, I’ve overcome my fear of going into water, thinking that I would sink rather than float.”
I have a dream
“I’ve been fortunate over the years to have completed the London Marathon and have rode the London Ride 100 miles cycling event in and around London. To quote the famous words of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, ‘I have a dream’.
“My dream is to apply for and obtain a place in the Serpentine 2 Mile Swim event in London – and complete the distance on September 17th, 2022.
“I strongly believe if I maintain and keep up my hard efforts, providing I get a place in the event then I will achieve it. It’s a big challenge, but I’m going to dream big. If I do get in, I’m going to give it my best shot. I need to keep up my swimming efforts and not look back, but only look forward to my dream and not be deterred by what others might say.
“Also, I would love to see more people of colour and different backgrounds take up the challenge as I often hear them saying, ‘it’s not for me’. Many have not tried, or if they have, they gave up at the first hurdle. For others, they have not had a chance to experience it. I was just like that but now I’ve changed and would love others to take up the challenge and follow me.”
What’s the best place (or two) you’ve swum?
“Other than the already mentioned, it’s only really been in a pool when I am on holiday. However, when I was in Barbados and in Jamaica I loved the warm sea. It’s so different to the waters of the UK – I wonder why!”
If a visitor comes to London, where would you recommend they swim?
“Without a shadow of a doubt, it would be the London Aquatic Swimming Pool at Stratford where London hosted the 2012 Olympics. You can dream and feel as if you were there in the event itself. It’s a full-size pool (50m) and the atmosphere lingers on even to this day. Also, it’s only 10-minutes by train from where I live.”
Tell us about one of your proudest swimming achievements / moments.
“I don’t have much to put down here however, earlier this year, in February ’22, I was coerced by a lady (Hanna) to enter a relay team of 3 people, for a 200m OWS relay race. Initially I said no as racing is not for me, but she persisted and we formed a team. We managed to complete the relay and this is the only medal I have for swimming. Other than my 10-yards certificate when I was at school a long time ago (too long to mention).”
Has swimming changed your life? If so, how?
“I am no longer afraid of being in or around water.
“I can now accept swimming in 5-degree (and a bit colder) water for short periods of time and not worry how I will feel (wearing thermal boots and gloves). This makes me appreciate what it will be like when I go back to the Caribbean, just appreciating the warmer temperatures. So, I ask the question, “which would you prefer and why”?
“I’m now able to tell others, especially those who are fearful of swimming and especially from a background similar to mine, to join a group as the instructors will have your best interests at heart. I love to tell others to ‘jump in’ and get involved.
“I’ve become almost at one with water (still a long way to go), I’m now able to confidently go for a swim on my own, and most of all I can enjoy it.
“I know I’m not the best technically gifted swimmer, I don’t find swimming easy (its hard work) and I’m not fully at one with water however, but I do try and give it all I’ve got.
“I can’t turn the clock back 40 years, however, I do look forward to what the future may hold for me.
What is one, or 2, key stroke technique points you often reference when swimming?
“I’m someone who is learning front crawl (freestyle) for the first time. I always have my head fully out of the water to breath. When practicing I was shown how to look down and only turn your neck with your mouth open to breathe (similar to Popeye). It’s so strange, but I can now almost manage it and this saves so much energy and time whilst swimming. It also prevents your legs from dropping so creating resistance and slowing you down.
“Also, when doing front crawl, as your arm comes out of the water, try and pretend to look under your arm pits so that when your hands go back into the water getting ready for the catch, your set up would be much easier. I haven’t fully mastered it, but I’m trying and will get there soon.”
Tell us a little about your early years of swimming Mark
“I remember only having a few swimming lessons at secondary school when I was about 11-13yrs old at East Dulwich Leisure Centre. These lessons had swimmers of all different abilities and most of us were only splashing around for the fun of it.
“Once I learned to swim a length, I remember being in a competition gala when in the ‘Boys Brigade’. How I managed to swim a length, without drowning, so many years ago, its beyond me to this day. Even up to a few months ago it would have been the same, just trying to swim a length.”
And to finish. Tell us a fun fact or 3 about yourself Mark.
“I was in ‘The Boys Brigade’ (a boys Church movement) until aged 18. I absolutely loved it.
“In my younger teenage years, I was once London Table Tennis champion within the Boys Brigade.
“I played a ‘Bugle’ at the Royal Albert Hall in the London Band.
“I’m a trained CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Money and Job Club coach.
“I completed my first London Marathon in 1994 just by being coached from reading ‘Runners World’ magazine and have completed it seven times (two as virtual events).
“I’m a relatively new convert to playing Golf. I love it, especially the guys I play with. We tend to try and sort out the world’s problems during the round. I find it so relaxing and enjoy new and different courses. I’m not brilliant at golf, but I do enjoy the competition playing it.”
Photos above: The Golfer - With the beautiful Blue Bell flowers in bloom and - The runner.