Meet Crissy Fuentes

Crissy Fuentes, Mark (The Grip) Allen and Joe

Maybe some of you remember me from my tennis era, back in the 70’s and 80’s. Maybe some of you remember me from my Torrimar Joggers era in the 80’s when I was learning to run a 10k hoping to do the NYC Marathon one day. Very few will remember me doing a couple of triathlons back in 1987 in PR. I know many of you remember my name on the sailboat that crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1992, carrying my husband Jose Fuentes and his parents! Or you are just getting to know me now because I am doing an Ironman and I love it!

It was in 2004 that I made a commitment to myself of trying to complete an Ironman on the year I turned 50, this happened in 2007. I trained for 3 years to accomplish this goal, I achieved a level of fitness that I never had in my best years competing in tennis. I love the cross training, it keeps me whole and injury free. I wake up everyday eager to tackle my workouts. What is truly amazing is the fact that I recover well, feel great and have energy to stay involved in many other things in our community.

In preparation for Lake Placid I entered small events in my area, I competed in Eagleman (5:29) in 2006 my first 70.3 and qualified for World’s in Clearwater. I did a 5:24 and finished in the top 20 in my age group :) I did Lake Placid in 2007 with a 12:15, feeling great but having terrible GI issues the second part of the marathon.

After Lake Placid 2007, I decided I could do this Ironman thing a little better if I trained properly. I hurt myself trying to complete a difficult training session for World’s in Clearwater 2007, I still did a 5:21 but I decided to change trainers and direction. Now I wanted to qualify for Kona in 2008.

I had no idea what that meant and how competitive that is now a days. I switched to Mark Allen Online (MAO) in January 2008. Boy, what a change, training at a low Heart Rate was very different and it took me a while to adjust. I also made the MAO Elite Team, not only was I trying to qualify for Kona, I also believed this program would take care of my GI issues. I am happy to say, I accomplished both!. I got 2nd in a Duathlon in Clearwater and then did St. Croix, my first races under MAO. In June 2008, I win Eagleman and qualify for Kona. My HR on race day was 158 on the bike and 165 most of the run. It was 100 degrees that day, but I was feeling great.
I still competed in Lake Placid that same year, even though everyone told me to skip it. It was one of the worse days in the history of that race pouring rain and cold, all day long. I took it as a training tool - a preparation for Kona.

I arrived at Kona, feeling good. Being part of the MAO Team had more benefits than I thought. They took me around and showed me the way. I did everything they told me and I had a perfect race day. I was conservative, my HR average was 136 my time was 12:40. I turned 51 racing Kona for the first time, what a way to celebrate my birthday. Three weeks later I was in Clearwater competing in world’s 70.3, no expectations but I PR with a 5:18!

So, I decide to think of a “time” goal for my third time at Lake Placid. For 2009 I did a fundraiser for Diabetes. I planned to break the 12 hrs. in Lake Placid and raise 10K for diabetes. I trained very hard for a year. In 2009, I am back on the MAO Elite Team. I finished 3rd in New Orleans 70.3; I had a great race in St. Croix, finishing strong. I had to retire in Eagleman for mechanical issues but I was having a good race. Now I had Placid . . . By race day I had raised $12,000, so now I had to try hard to break 12 hours.

The Perfect Day:

I positioned myself in the water up front, third row, I did not wear a watch until my run. My average HR on the bike was 150. I put my watch on for the run, kept my HR at 145. At the beginning of run I was averaging a 9:30 minute pace, but I never looked at the time, just my HR. I felt strong the whole day. I relied on 5 GU and Endurance with 18 salt tablets on the bike. On the run, 4 GU, 2 salt tablets and water. I finished 11:26 breaking the course record in my AG by 12 minutes - Raised $15,000! Now back to Kona.

During this year I have completed many running races, 5K, 15K, 1/2 marathons. I did 2 sprint Iron Girl triathlons, winning my AG both times. I follow MAO to the tee. I just did Monaco 70.3 coming second in AG (very tough bike course) and getting my slot to Clearwater in November. Hopefully I will finish both Worlds, rest and start training for 2010!


OK, you are thinking, what is Joe doing?? Well he is among the best sailors in his class racing Etchells. He is my mechanic, coach and best support! Our oldest daughter, Maria Cristina is married to Bryan they a have daughter, Leila and she is expecting her second one in February. Our son Jose Angel is married to Savannah and is a lawyer. They both are doing triathlons! And Carmen, is a sophomore in college. We all have our passions and many times we share them together and sailing will always be our anchor!

My wish is that this letter encourages people of all ages who are thinking of doing something different to start a plan. Try something new today, dream big and have joy doing it!

By the time i posted this profile Crissy had completed:

Ironman Championship Kona - Oct 10 2009 - 11:56:32

Ironman 70.3 Championship Clearwater - Nov 14 2009 - 5:09:16