Fritz Van de Kamp, 31

Salt Lake City, UT

Winner of the Mesquite Marathon, Nov 20, 2010

Time: 2:33:27

• Type of Shoe Worn: Nike Lunar Racer
• Race Attire: Compression socks and shorts, jersey, gloves and headband
• Wrist Watch Used: Garmin 305
• Had for Breakfast the Morning of Race: 3 hours before race ate a Carrot Cake Clif Bar topped with peanut butter, 16 oz of chocolate milk, 2 rice cakes, water.
• Ate for Dinner the Night Before: Turkey sandwich, chocolate milk and toast with peanut butter for dessert.
• Why the Mesquite Marathon: I injured my knee in a race on June 5th and wasn't able to run regularly again until mid-October. I chose the Mesquite Marathon because I wanted to get in one last marathon before year-end.
• Race-Strategy: I took take advantage of the early, fast miles but held back a bit because I knew the last half of the course was more challenging with rolling hills. Any aspiration of a PR was lost when we turned south into the intense headwind at about mile 11. I drafted with Nick McCombs as much as possible up until mile 20. I pushed the pace to the top of the hill and knew at that point that I had a chance to win. From there I just tried to keep the pace steady and hold it together to the finish.
• Running Background: Started running 5 and 10Ks after high school. Ran my first marathon - Pikes Peak - when I was 19 and ran several more in preparation for an Ironman in my early 20s. Now run 3 to 6 marathons a year (totaling 36), a couple of ultra trail races, an occasional 5k, 10k, half marathon or odd distanced trail race mixed in between. Currently a team member of the inaugural Utah Elite Racing Team.