The Aid Station
A regular stop for runners who think about why. The Aid Station is Zoë Rom’s monthly column for UltraSignup — essays on trail running mindset, ultramarathon culture, doing hard things on purpose, and the philosophy of going long. New issues land in your inbox on the second Friday of every month with curated training & nutrition tips and cover everything from race-season planning to the strange quiet that follows a finish line. Brought to you by UltraSignup, the world’s leading trail running registration platform.
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Get to Know the Terroir of the Trails
Why we all should embrace each trail’s distinct “terroir” — its particular smells, textures and character.
Zoë Rom
October 23, 2026
The art of accepting abject failure and moving on
Accepting failure is no easy task and it's never a joyful experience. But I'm moving forward after my DNF anyway.
Zoë Rom
October 17, 2026
The Art of Taking Running Seriously, But Not Too Seriously
When I think I'm taking my running too seriously, I remind myself that I came for the hush puppies.
Zoë Rom
October 8, 2026
Closing the Gap Between Ability and Ambition
Ambition is the gap between who you are and who you're training to become.
Zoë Rom
September 11, 2026
Nine Lives: My Life in 9 Transcendent Pairs of Shoes
A brief memoir on how running shoes have helped sew together the fabric of my life.
Zoë Rom
August 13, 2026
Go Touch Some Grass
Less scrolling, more strolling. Here’s what I learned from quitting social media and, yes, touching some grass.
Zoë Rom
July 9, 2026
Yep, You Are a Runner. Even When You’re Not Running.
Never question whether or not you are a runner. If you run, you are a runner. Even when you're not actually running.
Zoë Rom
June 11, 2026
The Importance of Celebrating Microwins
It’s good to set big, ambitious goals. Just make sure you celebrate the little wins along the way.
Zoë Rom
May 5, 2026
Embracing the Uncool as Trail Running Evolves
Trail running is suddenly cool, but you don't have to be. You just need to keep showing up however you are.
Zoë Rom
April 10, 2026
Retracing Steps: Why You Should Repeat Races, Workouts, and Anything That Makes You Happy
Here's why repeating a race is less like running it again and more like actually running it for the first time.
Zoë Rom
March 13, 2026