On Track with Jeanne Jackson

by Peggy Oliver

A race is over, and Jeanne Jackon is holding one of the winning posiitons. "Who is Jeanne Jackson?", asks the loval TVFW. She is a delightful woman and strong racewalker. Because Jeanne leave at Mountain Home AFB, we don't have the opportunity to visit with her at our walkabouts.

Jeanne has the need to be outdoors and to be physically active. This simple need was challenged when Jeanner injurerd her hip in a skiing acident in Austria. Genetically, her hip was compromised even before the accident. Jeanne was a long distance runner and wanted this activity to remain in her life. Her doctors recommended a full hip replacement and let Jeanne know all the things she could not do physically. After unbearable pain, Jeanne scheduled the surgery in 1995. She convinved her doctor she could do one more race after the replacement. At the race in Colorado, Jeanne observed some experienced racewalkers (faster than most runners), and inquired about the sport. Diligently, Heanne leanred the Olympic style of racewalking in 19978 and needed extra training to learn the placement of her leg, knee, and hip. Jeanne entered a judged 5k racewalk and was DQ'd at the last lap. Instead of giving up, she earnestly tried harder.

Jeanne places in virtually every race in which she competes. Her goal is to not win, but to enjoy the race spirit and compete against herself. She has enjoyed many races in the past and recommends the European races because ot the tasty food and great beerr at the end.

Racewalking is Jeanne's passion. Occupationally, she is a college instructor for English and the humanities and currently teaches at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Her husban, Lt. Colonel Jackson, is a commander of one of the squadrons at MHAFB. We'll give Jeanne a position in the TVFW as the Patron Saint of Injuries. You inspire us, Jeanne.