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 a new pair of shoes… probably the Nanos!
I need new shirts and shoes so this gift card would be great!
I need a new running tank!
I would love some cute workout tops. I’m still trying to lose my baby weight and I think new workout gear would give me extra motivation!
I definitely need a new pair of running shorts and some bras…a girl can never have enough sports bras right?
I would definitely buy some new shoes!! Maybe the Nanos or the ONE cushion. I need some new sneaks like nobody’s business 🙂
I would buy a new pair of shoes because I am just starting to run and
need some new kicks!
SHOES! 🙂
I would love a new pair of running shoes…preferably neon pink 🙂
I would love a new pair of shoes!
What a great giveaway! I would use the gift card to buy some new running shoes as marathon training starts again.
I would love some new workout tops and shorts. New workout clothes are great motivation 🙂
I love the PWR long tank. It’s hard to find tanks that fit since I’m on the tall side
Definitely need some new tops since my plain old t-shirts aren’t the best option for this humidity!
New Shoes!
I would love a new pair of shoes, as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor I live in sneakers which means I go through new pairs pretty fast. I’ve been dying to test out Reebok’s bright colored sneakers
I’d love a cute new workout outfit! I gave birth to my son Henry a few months ago and I still have a couple pounds to shed to get back into pre-pregnancy shape! A new outfit would definitely boost my confidence and give me the motivation I need.
All of the above…the soles are coming off!:) thank you!
I need some new tanks and shorts for my summer workouts.
I would get a new pair of shoes for strength training and fitness classes. I’ve been searching for a pair that I like and Reebok looks like they’re coming out with great new things!
I would love a new pair of shoes in the neon colors!!!! As a personal trainer I go through shoes very quickly!
I’d love the nanos and the Who made the rules tank!
I’d love a new pair of shoes for crossfit…my running sneakers are just not cutting it!
Tweeted, too! @cait_brown
I need a new pair of running shoes! I’m training for my first 5k & my shoes have holes in them! I like the running shoe you are wearing above.
I would love the extra long workout tank top, it looks adorable!
I desperately need to buy some new compression shorts and workout pants. After losing 20 pounds, the ones that I have are too big!
Need new workout shoes!
I would get some new workout clothes!
I would try a pair of Reebok running shoes. I wouldn’t have considered Reebok a few years ago, but their recent shoes look great and it seems like all reviews are positive too!
I would love some new work out bottoms and maybe a cute new top 🙂
Some longer fitted shorts for cycle! Thanks. 🙂
I’d love new running shorts and a tank for the hot weather!
I am in the market for a new workout top for the summer! Great giveaway, Julie!! 🙂
I’m in desperate need of some new sneaks! My puppy bit a hole in mine 🙁
I recently moved to Vegas…hello heat! I could use some shorts and shoes to keep me goin through the hot, hot summer!
I’d have to get the ‘Who Made The Rules’ tank! 🙂
I’d invest in a good pair of running sneakers! As a recent college grad, running is an inexpensive workout to stay active when I don’t have the college gym across the street anymore.
I would love to buy a cute new workout top.
I desperately need a new running tank & shorts! 🙂 Glad you are having such a great time!
need new shoes for running. Loving my Reebok zig zags but getting worn out.
I would KILL for a $100 Reebok gift card. I need, need, need some running shorts or pants. I buy mine on the cheap & they get holes in them easily! 🙁
I would LOVE a new pair of Nanos!
I would buy a cute new running outfit for this summer heat! (:
I reallllly want a new pair of running shoes. Mine aren’t old, but I’d like a pair to switch with from time to time.
I would buy new running shoes with the gift card. Reebok shoes are by far my favorite because they seem to keep me from getting shin splints.
I would love a new pair of shoes! With half-marathon training on the horizon, a good pair of running shoes would be great! 🙂
I tweeted too, via @christnersp 🙂
I would love to be able to get a few light breathable running tanks as I have just moved to a very hot and humid area and am sweating up a storm trying to go on runs outside!
I would love a new pair of running shoes 🙂