Skating on the Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC

Lori Henry getting warmed up at the Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC

I arrived at the Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC as part of a special event for the TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) conference.

Speed skaters were doing laps around the ice while more land-friendly sports like wheelchair basketball and badminton were being set up in the middle of the oval.

My anticipation had been building all day and finally burst when we were told, “If you signed up for skating, please make your way to the skate rental shop.”

I jumped up with two of my newfound colleagues and headed for the already-formed line up. The rink opens the oval up to public skating so people can skate around the ice that Olympians will compete on next year.

As a former ringette player, I scoffed at the idea of using rentals (and, the horror, figure skates!), but I laced up my black boys skates and got used to them on the way out.

Lori Henry showing her moves at the Olympic Oval in Richmond, BC

On the ice, I was immediately taken back to the days when I was out playing ringette at least once a week: the brisk air whipping by my face, the sound of my skates cutting through the ice, and the buzz of my quads as they pump my way around the arena.

I might not be striving to compete in any Olympic events next year at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, but I was absolutely thrilled to skate at the Olympic speed skating oval in Richmond, BC.