Ball on a Roll

The edited version of this story first appeared in Simcoe Life Magazine

July/August 2008

For Rick Ball, resident of Bass Lake Woodlands, and a left, below-the-knee amputee, joining the Orillia YMCA in spring of 2007 led to more than just keeping fit. The result of a motorcycle accident in 1986, when he was 21, having a leg amputated didn't prevent the now 42-year-old Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) mechanic from pursuing a life of normalcy. Using just a basic prosthetic, Ball trained his way to 100 km bicycle rides and 15 km cross-country ski runs. Not a small feat when wearing artificial feet.

Signing up for a YMCA membership provided the opportunity for another challenge: running the indoor track. With his interest in running piqued, Ball soon found himself vying for a start position at the 2009 Boston Marathon. After deciding to take up running as his primary fitness hobby, he engaged local runner Roger Deplancke to act as coach, and in October 2007 Ball purchased his first “runner's foot” - a specially designed prosthetic designed for amputee runners. Four months later, training through adverse weather conditions, Ball ran his first half-marathon, held in Peterborough Feb. 24, 2008, placing 54th out of 604 participants.

“Running is a great stress reliever,” explains Ball. “It makes you feel really good. You can become addicted to it and get a natural “runner's high”. [I'm] an inspiration to others when they see me running with only one natural leg. I couldn't have done it without Roger's expert coaching, and Jim [Low] at Barrie Prosthetics. He's got my foot fine-tuned and comfortable. It's fun, keeps my body in good shape, and I like the competitive nature of racing.”

Placing 93rd out of 1,387 participants, completing the Mississauga Marathon held in May with an able-bodied time of 3:17 qualified Ball for Boston 2009, in the able-bodied division.

“For me, I've met my goal of running my Boston qualifier in able-bodied time. So now, I can just enjoy Boston, have fun. I've reached my personal goal.”

Run, Ball, run.