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 woukd use the gift card for new work out clothes! It would be a great motivator to help me lose the baby weight after I have my son at the end of October.
I would love some new hot colored reebok tennis shoes!!!
I’d love to get some training shoes for bootcamp workouts!
I would love a new running outfit!
I would LOVE to splurge on a new pair of shoes–digging your brights!!
I’d buy a new pair of running shoes! I’ve worn my current pair down hard & would love the chance to get some Reeboks!
I would love the “who made the rules” tank top! It’s so cute and motivating!
I’d love some cute new workout tops!
I would love some new workout tops!
I would love some new cute work out gear while I’m training for my first half marathon!
I would love to win this! i need a new pair of shoes so badly!
In 2 weeks I am running with a team of 11 friends in the Mass Dash, a 200-mile relay race across Massachusetts to raise money for the Jimmy Fund, which supports cancer research and patient care! Some new Reebok gear would be perfect for the race!!
I’d love to get a new pair of the CrossFit shoes! I just got a new pair of running shoes, but after hearing you talk about noticing the difference of training with the CrossFit shoes, sounds like something I should look into!
A new outfit for Body Pump!
I would love the ONE cushion series shoe!
I would love a new running outfit!
My very first 5k is in August and I need a good pair of running shoes!!
I’d definitely get new shoes!
I am in desperate need of some new running shoes that offer tons of support. I just recently got addicted to running long distances, and after some research I think the Reebok ONE cushions would be a perfect for me!
I’m so desperate for a good pair of running shoes! Mine are so worn down, it can’t be healthy for my joints!
Shoes!! I need shoes sooo bad!! 🙂
I would LOVE that tank top you have! The one that says “Who Makes the Rules?” It’s so cute!
I need new shoes. I love my Nanos but I completely wear them down and need a new pair!
I would definitely get a pair of running shoes. I’ve always wanted to start running but shoes are so expensive and I’ve never been able to get myself to really invest
I would love to win the giftcard for a new pair of training shoes! Also that white “who made the rules,” tank is perfect!
I recently started running again and definitely need a new pair of running shoes!
I would definitely get new running shorts and shirts with the gift card!
I would love a pair of those neon green/yellow kicks you’re wearing!
I also tweeted to enter in the giveaway
Love your blog! I would use the gift card to buy running shoes – I am training for my first half marathon and could really use a fun new pair! Boston Strong!
I could really use a new pair of workout spandex! Your conference sounds like a blast!
I would love to get some cute work out tops!
I need a new workout top! Thank you!
I would love to buy some new running capris!
So exciting! I would love some new workout clothes!
I would love new workout pants! I hate shorts for longer distances, which is basically what I have!
Tweeted! Hoping to win a $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers
I would love to get a new pair of shoes. I am up on my feet all day so comfortable sneakers are a must– and the fun colors are a bonus!
I would buy a new pair of shoes! I am in desperate need of cross-training shoes and this would just be perfect!
i am in need of some more running tops! i love the quotes on the shirts, so fun!
I would like a pair of running sneakers. After baby #2, I have decided to start running!
I just started getting my fitness regime back into swing for summer, so a new pair of athletic shoes would be incredibly helpful to keep me motivated!
Definitely shoes!! I wear the same running shoes for everything but can typically be found doing more of a boot camp/cross fit style type of workout. Would love to try something new.
I’m in love with neon too 🙂 a pair of shoes are calling my name! Woohoo!
I’m training for a half marathon and tough mudder this summer and would absolutely love to have a new pair of reebok cross trainers since I’m putting so many miles on my running shoes!
I would love a new pair of tennis shoes !!!
I am in serious need of new running shorts! A matching top would be nice too 🙂
Yes! Momma needs a new pair of shoes 😉
I have recently got into running and would really love to get some proper running shoes!
I would love the giftcard to get some cute workout gear! I took the AFAA Group Fitness Certification test the same day you did, but up in NYC and now that I’m official, some bad a$$ gear would be great! Tweet to follow shortly! Thank you PB Fingers, you have been inspirational in my fitness journey!
I sent a tweet as well!!