Swimming equivalent for couch to 5k?

[SwimmingLikeADuck]

Anyone know if there is a swimming equivalent for the couch to 5k?
I can swim just fine after learning front crawl a couple of years ago, but just 2 lengths leave me completely puffed so that I have to wait about a minute before trying again. I would love to get to the point where i could just swim, say, 10 lengths. Any ideas on how to improve welcome!

[Lolaismyfavouriteandmybest]

My best mate has just retrained to teach swimming. All the leisure centres she works at have adult swimming lesson sessions. There is a set time and the adults can tell the teacher what they would like to be helped with. I suspect you need advice in how to improve your technique. I wouldn't say I'm a good swimmer and I'm chronically unfit but I could swim 30 lengths fairly easily.....

[JRsandCoffee]

Hmm, I can't crawl to save my life and get puffed easily doing it, rubbish technique I'm sure. Perhaps try alternating with a stroke you find easier? So one length crawl, one recovery length of breast stroke, crawl, breast stroke and so on and extend that gradually and maybe start doing two lengths crawl and one of breast stroke etc?

[Sleepwhenidie]

It does sound more like an issue with technique rather than fitness, so a program wouldn't necessarily help, but some coaching would.

In the meantime, try slowing right down and relaxing, getting technique perfect rather than focusing on speed...make sure you are gently exhaling the whole time your face is immersed, so you can take a good breath in (rather than a huge gasp) when you turn it out.

[BikeRunSki]

The thing about the C to 5K is that running /jogging is quite an intense form of exercise, so half an hour three times a week builds up good progress pretty quickly. I have have swum all my life and I have never improved my fitness so quickly as when running. Sounds like what you might really need is swimming lessons in technique.

[SwimmingLikeADuck]

Thanks so much everyone. I agree, my technique certainly needs improving. Have done a similar programme before to that c to 10k (its was in the london marathon magazine) -it was brilliant and, yes, I lost lots of weight and felt quite fit, but stopped after I achieved my goal (half marathon) as my knees were just too sore. Lots of orthotics and physio appointmets later I just gave up.
So here I am having this week recommenced the running programme and already getting a few knee twinges. I thought that maybe replacing some of the runs with swims would be kinder on my knees, but it sounds like I won't get the same fitness...
Mustn't give up, musn't give up.

[Sleepwhenidie]

I have to disagree to a point, whilst running is excellent for improving fitness quickly, swimming has been proven to improve lung capacity/performance better than any other sport, so it would probably be really helpful for your running fitness if you got your technique sorted. It is also much kinder to joints as you know, so I think a bit of coaching would be very worthwhile . Persisting with running when it causes knee problems may not be a great idea. I assume you have had your gait analysed, proper trainers for you etc?