EP 190 - From Back Surgery to Boston: Ryane Broussard’s 20-Year Goal

In this episode of Run the Riot, David sits down with Ryane Broussard, a driven runner, mom of four, and woman of faith who chased one goal for nearly two decades: qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

But Ryane’s path wasn’t a straight line.

After a sudden back injury left her unable to feel or control her left leg, doctors told her she’d need to find a new hobby and stop running. Ryane refused to accept that as the final word. What followed was years of rehab, identity rebuilding, and learning what perseverance really looks like—until she finally put it all together on race day and earned her Boston qualifier.

This conversation is packed with practical lessons for any ultrarunner (or anyone training for marathons, ultrarunning, or ultra racing) who’s faced setbacks, self-doubt, or the weight of a long-term goal.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• • Ryane’s start in sports (including lacrosse) and how competition shaped her mindset
  • Moving from Texas to South Louisiana and finding a running community
  • The back injury that changed everything (and the hard season that followed)
  • Doctors said “no more running”—how Ryane approached recovery anyway
  • Identity shifts: when running becomes who you are (and how to reset it)
  • The Boston qualifier chase: flu, self-sabotage, vomiting at mile 19, and trying again
  • The power of words, self-talk, and what you “partner with” mentally
  • Why community matters: pacers, training partners, and people who believe with you
  • How she fits training into real life: faith, marriage, kids, work, then running

  Key Moments

  • Starting point: sports background + love of achievement
  • Back injury + surgery: the moment everything changed
  • Rehab reality: relearning basic movement and rebuilding confidence
  • The Boston goal: 30 marathons, setbacks, and alignment on race day
  • The win: qualifying—and keeping it in the right place

  
  

  Practical Takeaways for Runners

  • Race-day alignment matters: sleep, health, weather, and fueling can make or break the day
  • Mindset is trainable: negative self-talk can sabotage fitness you’ve already earned
  • Fueling is personal: don’t introduce “new” habits (like NSAIDs) without understanding the cost
  • Build a support system: a coach, a pacer, and training partners can carry you when your brain gets loud
  • Keep running in its place: what you do isn’t who you are—especially when setbacks hit

Races Mentioned in the Episode

• Louisiana Summer Nights 50K/ultra effort
• Zydeco Marathon
• Stennis Marathon
• Boston Marathon qualifying standards shift