If Maria could only see him now.

In 1997, while living in New Jersey, Hector Torres taught Maria how to dance and the two eventually won a competition at a local nightclub. The two got along great and Torres wanted to take their friendship to the next level.  Maria hesitated and ultimately just told Torres that he’s not her type.

 “Hector, you’re fat,” Maria said.

Torres, who is now openly gay, shortly thereafter moved to Florida, dejected yet motivated by Maria. And he started working out and eating properly.

On May 19, Torres will be in Spain, competing in the 16^th annual Ironman Lanzarote.

The fat kid is now the ultimate Hispanic hottie – a muscle-laden 29-year-old with a caring, confident, energetic personality. Have him take his shirt off for a photo shoot and watch the heads turn.

“Since I was a kid, I’ve always saw the Ironman race and just thought, ‘Wow,’ as they sometimes literally crawl to the finish line,” said Torres, who lives in Orlando, Fla. “Being an Ironman is a lifetime achievement.”

And the Ironman in Spain is one of the hardest of all Ironman courses in the world, with multiple steep hills and wind among the factors to deal with.

Then there’s the course itself: a 2.3-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile road race.

That translates into 10 hours or more, even for the ultimate athlete – and Torres certainly is that. He’s looking to complete the course in under 13 hours.

It’s crazy,” Torres said, laughing. "I have a strong base, a strong foundation. I have been training correctly. I know, when I have not done well in my past races that it’s because I haven’t trained correctly. Now that I’m my own coach, I have to lead by example.”

The triathlon last summer at the Gay Games in Chicago was about a half-mile swim, 25-mile ride and nearly-6-mile race. The average competitor finished in about 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Torres competed in his first triathlon in 2004 – and he didn’t even finish due to problems in the water.

“I never really envisioned being where I’m at today,” he said. “I wanted to do an Ironman that was far away and one that was not common. I’m doing it for bragging rights – to myself.”

Torres, in the 25-to-29 year-old age group in Spain, will have about 50 age group challengers. The first-place winner last year in that age group finished the grueling course in just under 10-hours. The event will feature 1,200 overall competitors – and maybe 2% are gay, Torres speculated.

So what’s the plan for May 20, the day after? “I’ll be sitting on a tub of ice,” he said, laughing. And probably eating a hamburger, too.

Torres now weighs a ripped 190 pounds, quite a drop from his 263-pound, 43-inch-waist body of the Maria era. He’s now, though, in the Don Era.

Don is Torres’ 45-year-old boyfriend. “And he is not my sugar-daddy,” Torres said, laughing. Don works for Oracle as a global lead manager – and also has one triathlon under his belt.

“Of all my past relationships, this is my longest (more than 19 months) and I’m the happiest,” Torres said. The two dated for a year before moving in together. “He’s very patient and supportive. He gives me balance.”

Torres worked for an Orlando radio station for six years before leaving last September to focus on his work in the fitness industry. He will graduate from the University of Central Florida in December and eventually wants to go to law school. He is the group exercise director for Metro Muscle in downtown Orlando and also a personal trainer.

Last July, after returning from the Gay Games, he founded the first gay-friendly triathlon club in Central Florida. The group started with 50, including one lady who asked if she could buy a bike at Toys R Us. Members range from age 19 to 59, and maybe 3% are gay, Torres said.

Thirty of the original 50 are still active members, Torres said, and the group has expanded to 135. There are novice, intermediate and advanced competitors – and Torres targets workouts for each group.

Torres finished seventh last summer at the Gay Games among the 30 age group competitors he faced, and left with a lifetime of memories. “It was a lot of fun, a wonderful time and I got to meet so many great people,” Torres said.

Where’s Maria?

The two have not spoken in years, but Torres has never forgotten her words.

About Hector Torres

It’s a Fact: Was recognized as the first Hispanic male athlete to be featured on the cover of The Advocte.

It’s Also a Fact: Admits he is a poor tennis player and cannot sing.

Looking ahead: “One of my main goals is to qualify for (the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii) because Hawaii is a classic, legendary race.”

On camera: Hosts a TV show that airs in Spanish on Telemundo (Channel 62 in Orlando). “It’s (a mix between) 'Extreme Makeover' and 'Biggest Loser,' ” said Torres, who serves as a motivational coach on the show, airing every Friday.

Sponsorships: Has deals with Aquaphore and Active.com.

Photos by Ross Forman

May 15, 2007