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
