Going for the Gold

By Kelly Norton, Volunteer Contributor

Is anyone else as excited as I am that the Winter Olympics have begun? I can't wait to watch the world's best athletes compete in all the events, from bobsledding to snowboarding and everything in between. You can watch TV coverage on NBC, but I also wanted to share ideas on how to get your "Sochi" on right here in the National Capital Region.

Go ice skating. Last weekend I went ice skating at the Washington Harbor Ice Rink in Georgetown and had so much fun! The cost is only $13 for children and $15 for adults, which includes skate rentals. Even if you can't do a triple axel, it's still fun to pretend to be an Olympic figure skater. Check out Refinery29's list of the region's best outdoor rinks for more skating options in our area.

Try Russian cuisine. Have you ever eaten traditional Russian food? Perhaps this month is a good time to try something new. I recommend Russia House or Mari Vanna, which are both located in DC. 

Get in a good workout. Ask a friend to join you as your "training partner" for a challenging workout at the gym. Having a teammate will motivate you to push yourself a little harder. You could even wear red, white, and blue workout gear to represent Team USA. 

Make gold medals. This fun craft seems like the perfect activity for a cold winter afternoon. Make these awesome medals and then hand them out to the champions in your life. 

Take a Red Cross course for coaches. Is your dream to be an Olympic coach? Do you currently volunteer or work as a coach? The Red Cross First Aid, Health and Safety Course for Coaches provides an overview of first aid and "best practices" for many situations encountered by coaches.The course teaches skills directly related to sports injuries. Search online for course availability. 

You can also download the Red Cross First Aid App so that you've got expert advice for everyday emergencies right in your hand no matter how you choose to go for the gold! Our Red Cross family in Richmond knows about big Olympic spirit and the importance of this app. Check out their take on bobsledding below:

Have fun getting in the Olympic spirit this month! Go Team USA!