Jen and Jana Jackson (daughter and mother) are some of our favorite ladies in town. The family owns KornUtopia, the specialty popcorn boutique in Missoula, and they are always so kind in donating popcorn to our RE events. Read below to find out more.
Name: Jen / Jana
Age: 36 / 59
Hometown: Frenchtown, MT / Born in Tucson, AZ and have lived in Missoula for 20 years.
Age You Started Running/Walking/Exercising: I started running cross country my sophomore year of high school. / I started walk/running in 2011 when our daughter Jen who has been a runner since high school, talked her dad and I into listening to Jeff Galloway introduce the Galloway walk/run method and start training for the Missoula half marathon. Since then I have been hooked. I met some women in the group in 2012 that inspire me daily, as two of them are cancer survivors. Since then, we meet two mornings durning the week and every Sunday rain or shine and walk/run.
What Motivates You to Get Out the Door? I run because it makes me feel better physically, but it also does wonders for me mentally. / My motivation is knowing that there are others waiting to do the same thing. I think we all keep each other going. I also feel great when we are done.
Do You Prefer Walking With Friends or Solo? Both. During the week I enjoy running by myself. I don’t have to worry about how fast or slow I’m going and I can let my mind wander. On Sundays I love going out with my mom and her friends. They’re a good bunch to go with because they show up no matter what and they always have fun. Rain, snow, sleet or shine, you can bet they’ll be there at 6:45am. / I prefer to go out with by buddies.
Favorite Food: Definitely pizza. / My favorite food would have to be Mexican!
Favorite Activity Outside of Exercising: I love to golf! / Outside of excersising, time spent with family is the best.
Words of Wisdom: I’ve never felt worse after a run than before I went. / It is obvious with me that it is never too late to start something new.
We always have great things to say about the staff and owners of Runner’s Edge as they make every runner & walker, of all shapes and sizes, feel empowered. (Thanks ladies!)
