The second half of the first day of FitBloggin’ included the perfect balance of conference sessions and time outside in Portland.
After the cardio dance and Zumba workouts in the morning, a bunch of us headed up to our rooms to shower and change into comfy workout clothes for the afternoon sessions.
I am so grateful to the folks at Reebok and FitFluential for sponsoring my trip to FitBloggin’ and outfitting me in their gear! The above teal top is the PWR wide strap long bra top that I previously blogged about and loved thanks to its extra long length and comfortable material. It’s form-fitting and the material is thicker than some of my other workout tops, making it more flattering, just like the the PWR fitted capris.
If you’re digging any of the Reebok gear you’ve seen pop up on this blog during this conference or in the past, stay tuned for an awesome giveaway at the end of this post!
The shoes I am wearing in the above picture (with Anne!) are Reebok’s brand new ONE Cushion Series running shoe. As a neon fanatic, you know I love the highlighter color. I’m pretty sure they’re bright enough to glow in the dark! If I’m going to go out for a longer run, I will still be running in my Mizuno Wave Riders that I’ve been running in since 2007, but I’ve had the chance to run in these shoes a few times (three miles or less) and thought they were really comfortable.
The first conference session I attended on the first day of FitBloggin’ day was all about how to find the perfect fitness shoe and Christopher from Reebok broke down some of the features of the company’s new running shoe for everyone.
He explained that the running shoe was built from back to front and while training shoes like Reebok Nanos or RealFlex Screams are ideal for those who need to move in any direction, the new running shoe promotes a forward motion that is ideal for runners.
Quite a few of you have asked me for more details about the Reebok Nanos and I personally love them for circuit and strength workouts that incorporate squats, lunges, burpees, etc.
Christopher explained that the shoe doesn’t have a lot of cushioning and since the midsole material is a flattened platform, it’s thinner which allows your foot to lay flatter and closer to the ground. This increases your stability, making it ideal for functional workouts like CrossFit.
Though I’m not an avid CrossFitter, I still love the Nanos for functional or boot camp-style workouts that I do on my own. I used to feel like I was a bit wobbly during certain exercises like lunges or speed skaters, but when I wear my Nanos, I honestly do feel a lot more stable and can tell a big difference. Just my two cents!
Happy Hour at Noble Rot
The sessions at FitBloggin’ passed quickly, and after spending a lot of time inside all morning, I wanted to get out and explore Portland and was happy when Gina, Tina and Anne wanted to go for a long walk along the waterfront. (Just FYI, if you’re a blogger and want to read some of the takeaways from the FitBloggin’ sessions, definitely checkout the FitBloggin’ website. There were live bloggers in nearly every session who did an incredible job recapping each session in detail.)
It was gorgeous outside! We actually worked up quite a sweat thanks to the warm sunshine.
After our walk, we headed up to our rooms to change and meet back up in Gina’s room for a hair party.
Then it was time to roll!
We had plans to meet up with a group of fellow bloggers and fun PR women from Porter Novelli at Noble Rot, a trendy restaurant and wine bar with a great view of the city.
Once our large group found seating, I ordered a glass of Malbec.
I sipped my wine while chatting with Anne and Ericka.
I also had fun catching up with Brittney, a super bubbly woman who works with The Laughing Cow. She and my sister know each other from college and I met her at FitBloggin’ last year. She’s a blast!
Dinner at The Farm Café
After happy hour, Tina, Anne, Gina and I said our goodbyes and met up with Allie from Fanscape, a social media marketing agency, at The Farm Café.
I actually worked with Fanscape last week when I went to San Francisco with Smartfood, so I had a good time chatting with her about her hilarious coworkers, Meeshel and Kimmy. They were a riot and I loved working with them.
The Farm Cafe ended up being a huge hit with our group. Everything was so incredibly fresh and vibrant. I raved about my kale salad and trout!
If I lived in Portland, I have a feeling it would quickly become a local favorite. It was fabulous.
And now, after that crazy long post, it’s giveaway time!!!
Reebok $100 Gift Card Giveaway
One of you will have the chance to win a $100 Reebok gift card that you can use toward anything on their website!
To enter this giveaway, simply comment below, telling me about what you’d like to buy with the gift card. Do you need a new pair of shoes? A cute workout top? Shorts for a hot summer workout?
For an extra entry, you may tweet some variation of the following: “Hoping to win a $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers: http://ow.ly/mwwIn !” Just remember to leave a separate comment on this post telling me that you tweeted, so I can make sure your entry counts!
I will randomly select a winner on Tuesday. Good luck!
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I would love some cute new running shorts!! 🙂
I am in desperate need of a some new shoes!
It would be so great to be able to use the gift card on some new work out clothes! Being pregnant and trying to stay active is hard since my current work out clothes are getting a bit uncomfortable!
I am in desperate need of new workout clothes. Winning this would be great!!!
Looks like so much fun Julie! If I won the gift card, I would buy some running shorts for the two half marathons I’m training for! The first is just two weeks away!
I also tweeted… twittered? 🙂
I would love some new shorts for summer training runs !
I absolutely love everything at reebok! And I’m in desperate need of new exercise shoes!
I would love a new workout outfit. I love those tanks!
I would love some new workout clothes!
I really could use a new pair of cross training shoes or a pair of workout capris! Reebok has so many awesome new fitness apparel on their website, I love it!
I love that PWR wide strap long top you’re wearing, I am tall so I need long workout tops which can be hard to find!
Shoes shoes shoes!
Just donated four pairs of shoes to Goodwill while they still had some miles left on them… Time for a new pair for myself. Itching to try a pair off Reebok’s. Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity! 🙂
I need new running shoes and mew workout gear too! I would buy one of the tank tops you are raving about and a pair of neon shoes to match 🙂
Reebok has some really cute stuff! I have been wanting a pair of workout capris!
I would LOOOOVE to be able to buy some new running shoes because I want to get a pair that is more supportive for my feet 🙂
I love there burnout tanks!
FitBloggin’ looks like a blast 🙂 I’d buy a colourful new workout top – I wear the same black vests to the gym all the time and it’s so boring!
I love the shoes you are wearing and would definitely buy a pair!
So many options! I would probably go crazy and buy a few new outfits with shoes to match 🙂 a girl can never have too much workout gear!
I need a serious workout wardrobe makeover and would love some new tank tops.
Ps I retweeted this for you!
I would love to win this gift card because I’m desperately trying to lose weight! Workout clothes/shoes would really help with my motivation! Going to start training for a half marathon too! Thank you for all your workout ideas and your cheerful attitude! Also tweeting.
Nanos!
I would love new running tops! You can never have enough!!
I’m in love with the new Nanos! So fun and bright! I would love a pair!
I need some super cute tanks for my early morning summer runs!
I need new shoes so badly!
I tweeted!!
https://twitter.com/TheFunkyFork/status/351460792530505730
Hi Julie! I would absolutely love new shoes for more cross training/boot camp style classes! My running shoes are not ideal for that type of work out 🙂
I would definitely buy new shoes and a foam roller! 🙂
i’d definitely use it for some new workout gear. can’t have enough fun tops and capris!!!
The nanos look great! I would love to try a pair. Also tweeting.
I need shoes, tops and pants!
I tweeted about it too! @bmuedu
shoes for cross training absolutely!
I could definitely use some new running shoes!
New capris, please! I love the fit of the Reebok ones. Thanks!! 🙂
I would love some new running capris or cute summer tanks. The shoes are adorable!
I would buy some really cute workout outfits
I misread that one…here’s my separate post for tweeting.
Hi Julie! If I won the Reebok gift card, I’d buy a new pair of the Reebok Nanos or RealFlex Screams. I am training to become a Zumba instructor at the University of Florida and would love a good pair of functional work out shoes for the classes I’ll be teaching. You’re the best girl!
I would love to buy some new running shoes!
My husband and I starting a new healthier lifestyle together and I would love a new pair of the ONE Cushion running shoes and some cute workout tanks. Getting into shape is always easier in some cute new gear 😉
Thanks for putting this giveaway together, Julie!
Also, I tweeted! Thanks so much!
I love all the Reebok gear that you wear. I’d get some of the cute tanks.
I would definitely invest in some new running shorts and capris! I am starting the journey to my first half marathon this week, and I bet some fresh running gear would keep me motivated!
I just finished running Ragnar in UT two weeks ago and could really use a new pair of running shoes. Those are quite worn out!!
Just started training for my first marathon and could definitely use some new shoes!
What a great giveaway! I desperately need some new shorts!