running update

I have been training now for 4 1/2 months. Some weeks are better than others, but the goal has always been 3 days a week to become more fit and more healthy. I have begun to realise that I can't beat myself up if I miss a day or two - or even a week for that matter. The objective is to be healthy for the future by training now.
So here is what I have been doing for the past few months... Mondays I jog/walk with my running group. We have a loop that we follow 4 times around which makes 4 miles. According to my Garmin, we started off averaging 16 min/mile - NOW we average 14 min/mile. YAY!! That is jogging 1 min then walking 1 min. I am ready to increase that to 1:30 jog and 1:00 walk, but my running buddies don't seem to think they can handle that. I am slowly convincing them that we are ready!
Thursdays my running group does stair training. We go to a building that is 24 floors up and navigate our way up and down. We go up 6 flights, then rest, another 6 then rest, etc... Many people in the group actually RUN up and down. I, on the other hand, only walk. Although last Thursday I actually jogged a few steps here and there! :-) I started in January with 1 time up and down. Last week I made 3 1/2 times up and down! My calves were hurting on Saturday, so maybe that last 1/2 was too much... I will say, that it is a very demanding workout. It's one of those kinds that you dread doing, but feel really good about accomplishing when you are finished!
On Saturdays or Sundays I run on my own. I've been trying to keep my heartrate in my aerobic zone, but I get very frustrated doing that.... too much walking! So I think my max heartrate is higher than other people my age. At least that is what I am telling myself. But I am listening to my "coach", knowing that he has been doing this longer than I have, and trusting him to keep me headed in the right direction - that is to be a fit and healthy person! :-)
My short term goal is to take part in a 5k on April 18. My two running buddies are up for it too, so we will do our 1 min jog/1 min walk for the 5k. My competitiveness may take over and I will start RUNNING! We shall see....
So that's it for the training update - I am quite proud of myself for sticking to it! :-)