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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Oh my goodness there’s so many great things from Reebok! I need some new shoes but who can turn down a cute top?! It would be hard to decide!
I tweeted for an entry!
PS Julie, I had no idea how tall you were. You’re taller than everyone in flats!
I would absolutely adoreeee one of Reebok’s powerful (quoted) running tanks to wear for my first half marathon this summer 🙂
I would love to buy some new running shoes!
I would Get some new workout tanks! Gotta keep cool for the summer
I would definitely buy a new pair of tennis shoes! My old nikes have a hole in them…and being a broke college student doesn’t help!
I would love to have another set of hot work gear–like tanks or shorts cause I am dying in this heat
I’d love some of the long tanks that you’re wearing!
I just picked up and moved from Texas back to my home state of Massachusetts to be closer to my family. And while I love that I can now exercise outside because it’s so much cooler, I wasn’t ready for the huge toll running on rough terrain was going to take on my shoes! I’m now in desperate need of a new pair, and a $100 gift card from Reebok would be a huge help!
Thanks for the chance to win!
I would get the One Cushion Series running shoe…I’m in need of a new pair of running shoes! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m in dire need of some cute workout tops. I’m still living in most of my high school t-shirts and it’s getting a little embarrassing 🙂
I am also a neon fanatic! I would definitely put that gift card toward a pair of those adorable shoes – Reeboks seem to be the shoe to wear at my Crossfit gym and I’ve been looking to replace my favorite pair of Frees for some time now (I think when your big toe is hanging out of your shoe when you squat, it’s time for a replacement 😉 )
Definitely some cute workout outfits!!
I would love some cute new workout tops! New outfits for working out always gives me some extra motivation!
I definitely need the top that you’re wearing! I love the color and length!
I love Reebok shoes…and I agree with you, the brighter, the better!
I would love a pair of shoes! They would definitely help as I try to get in better shape!
I’d love a pair of Reebok shoes!!
I would buy a new pair of training sneakers. Just joined a gym and my current Reebok’s (neon pink and yellow realflex) have many miles in them, I love them so much but they’re starting to hurt my feet during workouts. A new pair is much needed!
Posted on twitter too!
It looks like you had an amazing time at the conference, loved following along with your instagram! I’m in desperate need for some long tanks to work out with and shorts to help stay cool while exercising while pregnant.
New cross-training shoes for sure!! 🙂
I love their workout tanks and would get one or two!
Oh my, shorts shorts and more shorts! My dresser drawers seem to have eaten all of mine!
I would love to try to the Reebok Nanos with that gift card!
I could definitely use some new workout capris. All of mine fall down during my runs and you know how annoying that can be!
Would love to get the Nano’s for my cross training workouts!
I would love the long bra top and a new pair of sneakers to give my Mizunos a rest from spinning and save them for running!
I tweeted! @newsfromlafuze
I would love some new cute workout outfits!
I need new shorts, shirts and sports bras!
I’m digging some of their xfit apparel such as the compression tights!
I desperately need to toss out some of my workout tights….I’d use this giftcard to replace them!
I would love a new pair of shoes for running!!
I am loving Reeboks new gear! I am dying to get my hands on the love fitness tee!!
I would love some cross training shoes or that super cute bue top you were sporting!
I would love a new pair of running shoes but it might be tough to turn down a cute work out top!
New running shoes. Definitely
Everything looks amazing, but I would love a new pair of sneakers. I have recently become obsessed with the neon colors!
Probably new socks. Maybe a new top.
I am desperate for a new pair of sneakers!
I’d buy some new workout clothing!
Tweeted!
Ah I love Reebok! My gym buddies are always making fun of my old workout clothes, most of which date back to middle school… Yikes! I’m also planning to run a half marathon and will need some new kicks to keep my feet happy. Thanks for offering this opportunity!
I could really use a new pair of shoes. The soles are coming off my current ones!
new running tops would be awesome 🙂
I would definitely get some workout capris. I’m just beginning to jog and run and mine don’t fit well, so they are always slipping down.
I would LOVE some new shorts, pants, and tanks! After working hard to lose 80lbs, I need some new updated stuff!
I would love to get some new workout capri pants and tanks!!
Sounds like you’re having a blast in Portland! This is such a great giveaway, I’d love to get new shoes with the gift card.