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Doron De Wolf

@obsessedrunner

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Father ✡️🇨🇭🇮🇱🇳🇱 🏃🏻‍♂️
Race Director Helvetia Backyard
Long distance runner (PB 232km)
84 (ultra)marathons 3:28:17 PB

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Week 20: the Witiker Backyard

This was such a beautiful event and I have so much to write, that I’m continuing this post in the comment section.

I started running to get fit, then I wanted to see how far my body could run. I am extremely happy to say that I have found my limit for the time being.

I went into the Witiker Backyard with an open mind. Last year was amazing, reaching those magical 24 loops for the first time on the back of a very strong training season. This year, my training wasn’t how I planned it due to my injury and due to moving home. So when I toed the starting line, I would’ve been extremely happy if I achieved a marathon, I had no idea how good and effective those little trainings had been.

The weather forecast was horrible, especially for this time of the year, luckily I came prepared and for the first time I had a crew of 5 amazing people @runadirun @ckpke @mediocre.runner @small_earth and last but not least @paedi_ontour who also deserves credit for most of the pictures.

At the start I noticed some sensitivity in the area of my injury, so I was very sceptical, but it got less the warmer I got and before I knew it we were already in the ultra-marathon area and I felt as fresh as if I’d just started.

The first challenge came during the night, it got cold 🥶 and I couldn’t ‘feel’ right, although my mind was fantastic and my body felt great. Eventually I was able to fix that and soon it was daytime again and we were heading towards the 100 miles. I don’t know what gave me the idea, it was at the start of loop 18 that I felt that my walking pace was too slow. So instead of walking up the hills, I power hiked. Resulting in faster loop times by 2 minutes.

At loop 21 I started to feel my injury again and this is when I took a painkiller 💊 , being so close to 24 loops, I didn’t want to fall short.

Around loop 25 I started feeling light headed, I don’t know how long this lasted, but it went on for a while and I couldn’t shake this. I started one loop with Ismael and at some point I had to tell him to go ahead and not let me hold him back, as I wasn’t sure if I’d make it back in time. taken in Witikon by @obsessedrunner

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53

5 months ago

Week 22 and 🇮🇱🎗️😢: Witiker Backyard Ultra success

What a difference a year makes. I was just reading back what I wrote last year and I’ve really learnt my lessons. Last year I peaked too soon at the Easter Backyard, but my preparation was good, so I copied the recipe and applied it in preparation for the @witikerbackyardultra

The weather started off nice and we had a very comfortable start. The first several laps were too fast, so I joined @rebeccahanna06 at the back and she helped me put my strategy into practice.

I ate in between loops, whatever I felt like, but at the last backyards I always craved a chicken 🐓 /avocado 🥑 wrap, so this time I made some, together with spitzbueben, bretzel 🥨 and chips these were my main sources of nutrition, combined with chocolates and other snacks. I also drank over 10 liters of pure water.

Running with Rebecca, the loops flew bye and soon it became light again, my previous PB came and went. I kept adjusting to the circumstances and dressed myself accordingly, however once it became light again, with it came the heat. I drank lots of water and the occasional Tailwind for the carbs, but the heat 🥵 became more unrelenting, the later it got.

Once I reached the 100 miles, which had been a dream of mine ever since I started running, my quest for 200 kilometres became less important as I just had to play it loop by loop due to the increasing heat.

I was still following Rebecca, but during loop 26 I had trouble keeping up with her and I lost her after heartbreak hill ⛰️. I walked all the way back to the start and arrived with 90 seconds to spare. At that moment I knew I had given it my all and I would not finish another loop.

I am extremely proud of my result and my new personal best: 174 kilometres with 3525 metres in elevation. All the hard work has paid off.

Thank you for your overwhelming support.

Distance: 176.76 kilometres
Elevation: 3525 meters
Position: 8th

Marathons: 66
Half-Marathons: 334
Next: Gondo Marathons

#swissrunners #ultrarunning #wirsindläufer #schweizläuft #runninginzurich #backyardrunning #backyardultra #tailwindnutrition #runwithfriends #witikerbackyardultra taken in Witikon by @obsessedrunner

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a year ago

Week 17 and 🇮🇱🎗️😢: Time for some honesty

People talk to me about how impressive it is what I’m doing. They see my snapshots on instagram and are impressed and it comes across as easy. I would like to clarify a few things.

I have a family and a full time job, not everything I do is easy and I always try to think about my family in the first place. I run early and into work or from work back home, so that they’re not impacted and I don’t loose time on the transit and separate workout during work, this I find more efficient. It takes discipline to get up and go, but I do this because I love running and I love my wife and kids. My wife and kids coming to support me last week @easterbackyardultra was one of the most special moment for me.

Having said this, when I started running almost 10 years ago, I had no goals and I was very unfit and I’d never exercised in my life. Now I have a goal to see how far I can manage to run in one run. I will attempt this one more time at the end of May at the Witiker Backyard. I do this for me and I’m not measuring myself to anyone and this should always be at the front of your mind. Do this for yourself and for what it does for you and makes you feel good. Don’t measure with other people who have different lives and different goals.

My hobby is my passion, but it requires a lot of discipline and dedication, when I don’t reach my goal I can still be proud of everything I’ve achieved to date. This doesn’t mean that I stop running, it means I’ve found my limit and I am satisfied with that and I’ll still go to races and I will still give everything to the community.

My training might seem extreme and always happy, but this comes from the joy I get from running and the privilege it is to be able to be able to do this.

So when you read my posts and wonder how I do this, it all comes from a strong internal dedication and motivation, but always around my other priorities in life and it is never easy!

Thanks and keep running
Doron

Totals 53 kilometres with 710 metres in climbing.

Goal 2025: 200 kilometres at the @witikerbackyardultra

#lifepriorities #iloverunning #runner #stravarunner #lifegoals #bucketlist by @obsessedrunner

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a year ago

15 loops. 100.7 k. 1920 m↑. 🔁

What a day @helvetiabackyard

Beautiful trails, technical sections, great people and the kind of atmosphere that makes Backyard racing so addictive.

A huge thank you to @obsessedrunner for putting so much heart and passion into this event. You can feel when someone truly lives what they create, and this was definitely one of those races.

I would have loved to keep going but a sharp pain in my knee had other plans. Maybe four weeks after the TAR my body was still carrying more fatigue than I realized. But I’m leaving happy. Another 100k in the legs, another Backyard full of lessons and another reminder of why I love this crazy format so much.

The 100 miles will have to wait a little longer. But I’m not done with them yet. 🔁

Merci to my parents and @an1sruo_ for coming by and cheering me on for a few hours 🤍, to @huusleenders for taking care of me (and my very tired legs) afterwards. 🫶 and @run_wild_and_far for the good talks and the reminder that pain ≠ pain.

#backyardultra #poweredbyplants taken in Oberwil-Lieli, Switzerland by @obsessedrunner

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10

14 hours ago

Week 39: the verdict 👨🏼‍⚕️

First of all I want to thank 🫶 everyone for their wishes and concerns. It’s been difficult not to do any sports, on the other hand I remain optimistic and I know it’ll be for the best.

On Wednesday I had my appointment with the surgeon and he actually discovered 3 hernias. As a good jew, I like a good deal: he’s going to operate on all three for the price of one! He has cleared me to run at the world 🌍 championships, but if it starts to hurt, I should contact him right away and stop. This was creating a lot of doubts. If someone can guarantee 30 loops, will I take away their place?

After a lot of soul searching and talking to several good friends I have decided that I will start at the satellite world championships and take things one loop at a time ... as I do anyway. I have earned my spot and I want to be there and be part of this highly motivated team. The only thing that will stop me is if anything severely happens beforehand. During the event I will not risk my health so if the pain becomes unbearable and I know something is wrong, I’ll stop as well. There will be another chance to qualify and make the Swiss 🇨🇭 backyard team.

Yesterday I helped out at the @x_uetli and @witikerbackyardultra event, this was a lot of fun seeing so many familiar people. I actually wanted to witness the start, in the end I was there for over 5 hours and helped several runners with their nutrition and maintained the buffet. We have such a great running community in the area and it’s a privilege to be part of something special where everyone is valued and appreciated.

#runwithfriends #positivethinking #justonemoreloop #togetherisbetter #backyardultra taken in Witikon by @obsessedrunner

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3

7 days ago

6,7 Kilometer. Eine Stunde Zeit. Dann beginnt die nächste Runde.

Doron de Wolf gehört zu den Menschen, die vom Backyard Ultra nicht mehr loskommen. Er läuft selbst Backyards, organisiert mit dem Helvetia Backyard eigene Veranstaltungen und steht im Schweizer Nationalteam für die Backyard Ultra Team-Weltmeisterschaft.

Im Gespräch erzählt er, was ihn an diesem Format fasziniert, wie aus einem ehemaligen Laufmuffel ein Ultraläufer wurde und warum beim Backyard Ultra die Gemeinschaft eine so wichtige Rolle spielt.

Wir sprechen über die Regeln und Besonderheiten des Formats, die Schweizer Backyard-Szene, Community Runs, persönliche Grenzen und den Umgang mit extremen Leistungen.

Ausserdem geht es um Dorons ganz persönliche Laufmomente – als Ultraläufer, Pacemaker und Race Director.

🎧 Die Folge mit Doron De Wolf ist jetzt online – Infos und Links in der @laufmomente-Bio und auf www.laufmomente.run
____________________________________

🎙️ «LAUFMOMENTE – Geschichten, die bewegen» gibt es überall dort, wo Podcasts erhältlich sind. Kostenlos. Wenn du die Arbeit unterstützen willst, lass ein Abo und eine gute Bewertung auf der Podcast-Plattform deiner Wahl da. Und: Wenn die Episode so richtig gefällt, darf diese sehr gerne auch in deiner Community geteilt werden – herzlichen Dank!

#laufmomente
#podcast
#BackyardUltra
#ultrarunning
#RunningCommunity by @obsessedrunner

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1

8 days ago

6,7 Kilometer. Eine Stunde Zeit. Dann beginnt die nächste Runde.

Doron de Wolf gehört zu den Menschen, die vom Backyard Ultra nicht mehr loskommen. Er läuft selbst Backyards, organisiert mit dem Helvetia Backyard eigene Veranstaltungen und steht im Schweizer Nationalteam für die Backyard Ultra Team-Weltmeisterschaft.

Im Gespräch erzählt er, was ihn an diesem Format fasziniert, wie aus einem ehemaligen Laufmuffel ein Ultraläufer wurde und warum beim Backyard Ultra die Gemeinschaft eine so wichtige Rolle spielt.

Wir sprechen über die Regeln und Besonderheiten des Formats, die Schweizer Backyard-Szene, Community Runs, persönliche Grenzen und den Umgang mit extremen Leistungen.

Ausserdem geht es um Dorons ganz persönliche Laufmomente – als Ultraläufer, Pacemaker und Race Director.

🎧 Die Folge mit Doron De Wolf ist jetzt online – Infos und Links in der @laufmomente-Bio und auf www.laufmomente.run
____________________________________

🎙️ «LAUFMOMENTE – Geschichten, die bewegen» gibt es überall dort, wo Podcasts erhältlich sind. Kostenlos. Wenn du die Arbeit unterstützen willst, lass ein Abo und eine gute Bewertung auf der Podcast-Plattform deiner Wahl da. Und: Wenn die Episode so richtig gefällt, darf diese sehr gerne auch in deiner Community geteilt werden – herzlichen Dank!

#laufmomente
#podcast
#BackyardUltra
#ultrarunning
#RunningCommunity by @obsessedrunner

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10 days ago

Week 38: a scare 😱

I started the week with recovering from the 13 loops that I did last weekend. On Monday and Tuesday I worked from home, but on Wednesday I went into the office again by bike 🚲 . As most of you know by now, I’ve been having some issues in my groin area this year and despite having physiotherapy some symptoms are still noticeable.

On Wednesday I cycled both ways to work and back home. When I got home in the afternoon I noticed a blue area near my groin. I have suspected for a while that I have a hernia and when I saw this I decided to go to the emergency department.

In the hospital 🏥 they confirmed I have a hernia and I should hold off doing any sports ⚽️ until I’ve seen the surgeon 👨‍⚕️ . This is the situation I find myself in at this moment. I’ve put my garmin away for the first time in about 11 years and I’m just taking things as they come, whilst fully focussing on work, the Helvetia Backyard Ultra and my family. My participation at the satellite world championships is doubtful, but if there’s any way for me to compete I will toe the line.

I have no idea at this moment what the next weeks and months will bring, I don’t even have an appointment yet, but I have always been honest and transparent in my writings here and I will continue to do so. I have already arranged additional help for the @helvetiabackyard but I am looking for 2 people who can help on Thursday from around 10AM in Zürich to help collecting stuff and start with the initial build up of the cabin in Oberwil-Lieli. If you can help or know anyone who wants to help, please send me a DM.

Cycling 58 kilometers with 953 meters in elevation
Walking 4 kilometers with 7 meters in elevation

Total time doing physical exercises: 4 hours and 8 minutes

Marathons: 89
Half-Marathons: 383
Next: Satellite World Team Championships

Photo credit @natanael_xxii

#gameover #injury #honest #healthcomesfirst #health taken in Zürich, Switzerland by @obsessedrunner

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14 days ago

Week 37: the Last Lap Backyard Ultra

The theme last week were the satellite world team championships. On Monday Mona and I did a course recon on the actual course where the WTC will be held and we did two loops in a nice afternoon setting.

Yesterday I toed the line to test my readiness at the Last Lap Backyard Ultra. I wanted to do 160 kilometers, but in the end I stopped with 87 official kilometers.

I rested the rest of the week, to be ready for this BYU, but it was a stressful week and I had little sleep in preparation. On top of that I hadn’t recovered properly from the Wyländer Backyard so I already had early symptoms of muscle issues. First in my glutes and later in my calves. I tried to solve these issues, but nothing seemed to do the trick. I had also forgotten to take magnesium and amino acids, so after 13 loops I decided that I there was nothing for me to gain by continuing and I could potentially risk not being fit for the WTC.

Before the Witiker Backyard I did an 80km run 5 weeks out, where I injured myself and a week prior to that I also did more than a marathon. After that I had stress with moving and I barely trained at all. I am considering using this formula again as this proved to be very successful.

A big thank you goes out to @natanael_xxii who did a fantastic job crewing @apzurich and me by himself and for the first time.

Cycling 63 kilometers with 812 meters in elevation
Walking 7 kilometers with 40 meters in elevation
Running 1061 kilometers, 481 meters ascending in 14:49 hours of total running time.

Total time doing physical exercises: 19 hours and 14 minutes

Marathons: 89
Half-Marathons: 383
Next: Satellite World Team Championships

#runwithfriends #positivethinking #justonemoreloop #togetherisbetter #satelliteworldchampionships taken in Jegenstorf, Switzerland by @obsessedrunner

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21 days ago

A post under the week as it was so much fun at the @wylaenderbackyardultra where @run_wild_and_far were having a very good time together. Lily ended up winning and I could see why based on her sprint with me on the final meters of that loop!

The course is stunning and these pictures only tell half a story.

Also my @mounttocoast shoes were perfectly suited and comfortable for this kind of surface and I saw several people wearing them on the course. I can’t recommend them enough, the only issue with me recommending them is that they’re even faster sold out than they already are!

I was also given an @xbionic prototype to test and this shirt was fantastic on the first feel. I’ll have to do some more testing, but the pocket between the shoulders and the built in pockets for the flasks are a real plus, especially in backyard ultras. The only issue I currently have is with specific conditions you sweat more and this have to change more often, then this shirt doesn’t bring any benefit.

#backyardrunning #mounttocoast #togetherisbetter #xbionic #ultrarunning taken in Badi Dachsen (Bachdelle) by @obsessedrunner

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a month ago

Week 36: Wyländer Backyard Ultra

Last week I wanted to take it a bit slower after my 150 kilometre week, so I kept my runs to a minimum and I have a bigger test coming up next weekend at the Last Lap Backyard Ultra, so this week was about keeping the body moving regularly and also doing a test backyard.

On Monday I met up with an Australian visitor, who was in Switzerland and I showed him the @witikerbackyardultra backyard course, he was impressed with the amount of climbing we do over there and gave me some very helpful tips.

Yesterday I took part in the @wylaenderbackyardultra and I came across an old nemesis of mine, my stupid head! For some reason I kept finding myself going too fast and finishing first and sometimes second. I think this was partially because I knew that I wasn’t going to go far. What I’ve also noticed is that I don’t like running single trails behind people. Course like Witiker and Jegenstorf and even Easter suit me better as I know exactly where I can run and where I can walk, there aren’t too many single trails so I know where I can pace each loop.

The course is really beautiful and it has several single trails along the Rhine, one wrong step and you find yourself with wet feet. On loop one and two we encountered some rain and it remained humid, so I had to change shirts almost every loop as I was soaking wet each time I came back. Having the fastest average loop times definitely didn’t help.

Next week is the Last Lap, where I’ll practice several strategies for the satellite world championships, that should give me a good confidence boost.

Cycling 60 kilometers with 842 meters in elevation
Walking 14 kilometers with 267 meters in elevation
Running 81 kilometers, 1197 meters ascending in 10:21 hours of total running time.

Total time doing physical exercises: 15 hours and 56 minutes

Marathons: 88
Half-Marathons: 383
Next: @backyardultra.thelastlap

#runwithfriends #positivethinking #justonemoreloop #togetherisbetter #backyardrunning taken in Witikon by @obsessedrunner

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2

a month ago

Week 35: Such a good week for many reasons!

It was important for me to do one more big week, before I have two weekends of training backyards coming up.

The highlights this week were definitely doing several virtual training backyard loops in solidarity with @phil.gore.ultrarunner and his #project 168 so several of us met up in Witikon at the @witikerbackyardultra course and did several loops. This was a lot of fun. A similar thing we did yesterday evening on the course where the satellite championships will be held in October. We met at 8PM and did several loops backyard style and with headlights.

The hardest run was probably on Friday. As I was about to leave the office it came pouring down. As this was the trend of the day, I decided to wait until it got less and then start my run home. I was about 9km in when it started raining again. By this time I was wet with sweat anyway, but I had a decision to make either cool down whislt waiting for it to pass of cool down because of the rain. I decided that due to the warmer temperatures and I probably wouldn’t cool down too much, so instead of waiting for it to pass I pushed those final 4k and kept myself warm this way, however this was mainly uphill and I set one of my best times on this segment.

Today I finished the week with an easy run. The plan was to do 3/4 kilometers, so I wouldn’t finish on 141km, but it was such a nice morning with the sun in my face that I completed the 150k week with a 8,6k run.

Cycling 81 kilometers with 1142 meters in elevation
Running 150 kilometers, 2544 meters ascending in 16:36 hours of total running time.

Total time doing physical exercises: 20 hours and 33 minutes

Marathons: 87
Half-Marathons: 383
Next: @wylaenderbackyardultra

#runwithfriends #justonemoreloop #togetherisbetter #project168 taken in Zürich, Switzerland by @obsessedrunner

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2

a month ago