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!
I’m training for my first half marathon and with the summer heat upon us (literally) I would buy some more running shorts and tanks.
I could use some new workout tops!
I just love the top you have on!- I’d love one of those!!
I love the teal workout top you are wearing! Also, I could use some Nano’s which I feel might be good for body pump(which is new to me and I totally love!)
I am a workout shoe addict. I don’t even need to check their website 🙂
Ok, I am DEFINITELY putting Fitbloggin’ on my agenda for next year – I’ve been reading all the recaps and it sounds like SO much fun! As for Reebok gear, it all looks amazing. I think I’d get one of their jackets for cooler training days, and maybe a sports bra because some of mine have definitely seen better days!
I’d buy some cute crossfit clothing!
Tweeted! @Olivetorun
I think I’ll buy some more workout sheets with the $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers: http://ow.ly/mwwIn I will win! 🙂
I tweeted.
I have been wanting some nanos for a while so the gift card would be an awesome win.
Workout tops that will be extra supportive!
I’d use the gift card to buy new tank tops. Lately, I’m obsessed with bright colored tanks!
I would buy new tanks and running shorts!
I tweeted about the giveaway! https://twitter.com/carrotrunr/status/351473708440883203
I would love another pair of running shoes!!
I definitely need some new running shoes and the ONE Cushion Series look awesome!
Tweeted!!! https://twitter.com/rachee73190/status/351474331680903169
I love rebook workout gear! I would love a cute new top!
There is nothing like some new workout gear to motivate me to amp up summer workouts!! 🙂
I desperately need some tank tops for running in this heat!
I would get a new pair of running shoes. I’ve been eyeing a pair from Reeboks since you first featured them on your blog!!
I tweeted about the reebok gear!! 🙂
With the gift card I’d buy a new pair of running shoes!
I’ve been planning on getting some running shoes soon, and it would have been (your favorite) Mizuono Wave Riders, but after reading about these new Reebok running shoes, I would love to try them out!!
Oh My Goodness! A $100 gift card would be AMAZING! My husband and I are expecting our first child in August; and I would use the card to buy some new running shoes to help me get back in shape. Can’t wait to take the little one on a run.
I am in need of some new running shoes. But If I got a gift card I feel like I would just buy some cute new workout clothes rather than the shoes!
Definitely need some new shoes for crossfit!
I would buy a pair of sneakers for boot camp/cardio kickboxing!
I’d love to get some new lightweight tank tips for the incredibly hot running weather we’re having right now!
new cross training shoes!
I would love to try out those Nano’s. I haven’t found a good cross-training sneaker yet. 🙂
I would love to have some new workout shoes!
tweeted about the giveaway!
I would love some new running shoes! Running my FIRST 1/2 marathon in Oct. & would love some new reeboks to get me to the finish line 🙂
I also tweeted @Jillyruns !
https://twitter.com/jillyruns/status/351475500625043458
Would love a new pair of shoes!
I think I would buy a pair of nanos that I ve been hearing so much about.
I am training for faster times at my half marathon in September. I really could use a new pair of shoes. But I really want some new tanks and shorts to wear. Running gear decisions are hard for me! I want it all! 🙂
I would definitely get a new pair of shoes!!!
I’m always on the lookout for new workout tops…the crossfit ones look especially appealing even though I don’t do crossfit haha.
I would buy new running shoes! I really need new ones and the Reebok ONE collection looks really cute and comfortable!
I recently just got my first job as a RN at a pediatric hospital and some colorful, supportive, running sneakers are in order!
I need Olympic weightlifting shoes for crossfit!!
Now that summer is here, I need some new tank tops for working out!
I desperately need shoes for cross training workouts! My Mizunos die so much quicker because I wear them for everything.
I’m training for my first half marathon and would love an extra long tank! It’s hard to find something flattering that is also long enough to keep me covered!
I tweeted about the giveaway! https://twitter.com/doctornayaka/status/351476275191357441
I would definitely buy some workout shirts, you can never have enough! WooHoo!
I’d love some new shorts!
I’d buy some new clothes – especially tops! I’ve been running in old ratty t-shirts and I think some new tops would really motivate me.