Triathlete Discusses Dallas’ Healthiest Neighborhoods

For some, an active lifestyle includes walking the dog every morning and breaking a sweat a few times a week. But for others, “active” has a whole different meaning. Meet Becky Frey.

A 49-year old who is undoubtedly hip (she blogs, Facebooks, and Tweets), Becky is also the epitome of active. As the daughter of a football coach, she has had athleticism in her blood since the beginning. Tennis, track, swimming, golf – she’s done it all. Having maxed out on marathons (she did two in NYC, one in San Diego, and one in Dallas), Becky decided to combine her sporty passions and train for a triathlon.

This past summer she joined Playtri – a group devoted to “having fun and training smart” – and launched out on a program of intense training: two-a-day sessions of biking, running, and swimming, six days a week. For about three months her life consisted of work (selling homes), training (her idea of play), and sleep – a routine that resulted in an incredibly lean, fit body and several new friends. Any regrets? Not a one.

Becky raced the Olympic distance Stonebridge Ranch Triathlon in late September – that’s a one-mile swim, 24-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run – and ranked first in her age bracket.  Now hooked, she plans to continue triathlon training through the winter, and then sign up for another round of “fun” in 2010.

As a residential real estate agent, Becky has excellent tips for active homebuyers searching for neighborhoods in Dallas to suit their lifestyles. (A recent study shows that living in a “healthy” neighborhood also reduces the risk of type II diabetes by 38%.) According to Becky, here are some benefits that different areas of Dallas offer:

• Uptown: This area is ideal for runners and cyclists in that it offers incredibly easy access to the Katy Trail and Turtle Creek parks. Runners can head to downtown and then hop on the Dart if they need help getting home! The Highland Park Whole Foods is not far away, and several restaurants in the area cater to a health-conscious clientele.
• Downtown: The streets of downtown make for fun runs, with plenty to see and many different directions to choose. Cyclists have easy access to country roads, which are perfect for long rides. Runners and bikers can connect to the Katy Trail at the American Airlines Center, or head toward the Crescent and loop around Uptown. The downtown YMCA also offers a pool and several workout classes morning, noon, and night. Downtown residents also enjoy fresh produce from the Farmers Market on South Pearl Expressway.
• Bluffview: If you want to run or bike hills, head to Bluffview. The shaded, winding streets offer plenty of incline to improve muscle – and mental – strength.
• Preston Hollow: With its wide roadways, this neighborhood is perfect for peaceful. Quiet north/south streets like Thackery and Edgemere make it easy to run big loops without encountering overwhelming traffic.
• Park Cities: University Park and Highland Park provide excellent sidewalks and streets for flat runs. Germany Park and SMU offer tracks great for training, and both neighborhoods are close to the Katy Trail. With a Whole Foods at Lemmon and Lomo Alto and a Central Market at Lovers and Greenville, the best produce is never too far from home. The Park Cities YMCA boasts a long list of aerobic and strength-training classes, and other gyms – such as Larry North – are found all over the area.
• Lakewood: Active individuals especially enjoy being near the 9.33 mile White Rock Lake Trail, Dallas’ most popular setting for cycling, blading, or running. Wide, quiet streets are good for long loops, and a neighborhood Whole Foods and Central Market help with healthy eating.

Tags: Dallas, Healthy neighborhoods