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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New pair of shoes & capris!
A pair of neon shoes is just what I need to get my booty in gear for summer time work outs!
I’d really like some cute shorts to workout and lounge around in 🙂
Definitely a pair of capris!
I would love a new pair of running sneakers! I am
About to start training for the Providence, RI Rock n’ Roll half marathon (it will be my first one!) and id love a new pair to get me going!
Definitely would love some new workout tops!
I desperately need a new pair of running shoes!
I desperately need new sneakers. Mine are killing my back
just tweeted it!
I am in need of some new running shoes! I also love the neon colors of new shoes as well! ~Mendie
New capris! Desperately :-). And I love those tops with the cute sayings!
a new top!
I need some new running shoes, so I would probably get the ZigNano burn TD!
I would love new capris! I recently lost a pant size, so all of my current capris are too big!
I would absolutely LOVE to get a new pair of capris for leg day that aren’t see through!
I would love some new workout clothes!!
Definitely shorts or a tank!
I’d get some new running shoes. I wore out my old favorites training for my last race! 🙁
I’d love to purchase the Reebok Nanos to wear during my circuit training and Jillian Michaels’ 30-day shred workouts! I would also love to buy the “Who made the rules?” yoga shirt in pink and white. So cute!
I would use the giftcard for new summer workout clothes. I’m on a strict budget right now and finally getting back into my half marathon training after a 5 month stress fracture in my fibula. I think it would be great to have some “newness” in my dresser drawers. 🙂
Just tweeted about the giveaway!
i would get some new sneakers, thanks for the giveaway!
Definitely tanks to beat this California heat wave!
I would get some workout tops! I have such a hard time finding some to fit me right and I know I could with Reebok!
I’d love a new pair of shoes!
I would definitely get a pair of new shoes!
My boyfriend’s family are amazing tennis players (his parents have a tennis court in their backyard!) I am not good at tennis, I don’t think I have picked up a racket since I was 10 – but we are spending the week at their house in August. I would love to bring some cute tennis outfits – I love the PlayDry Victory Skirt and Tank. Maybe that will bring me luck and convince his family that I can keep up on the tennis courts!
In addition to my first comment on this post, I also tweeted about the giveaway here http://ow.ly/mwwIn
You can view my tweet here https://twitter.com/rebeccabemke/status/351513167525969922
I would LOVE a new pair of shoes – something super bright and fun for working out this summer!!
I really need a new top I can wear while running and maybe some new crops too!
The adorable ONE running shorts!! Love them.
I shared the giveaway on twitter! https://twitter.com/designsbymeg/status/351513837851254784
I would love a pair of the fitted caparison!
Darn autocorrect… capris!
I tweeted!
I’d love a new pair of cross-training shoes, and am also dying to get my hands on the Tara Stiles yoga line…
I would definitely get some new running shorts and workout shirts if I won the giveaway! Thanks!
I’d buy some new workout tops! I am having my first baby in August and could really use some looser workout tops for getting back into the gym!!
I would love some new cute work out tops!
Would love a new pair of shoes for training/my next marathon!
I’d get the CrossFit Strength is Beautiful Tank in Solar Green. I love the saying “strength is beautiful.” I live by it and it means so much to me. I thought it was so cool that I finally found a top with that favorite saying of mine. I also love bright greens. I’d wear the tank for running, cycling, Pilates and Yoga; my favorite ways to get sweaty!
After all this talk about how fabulous the Nano’s are, that’s what I would choose!!
Would like to get a new pair of cross training shoes and some workout tanks!
Looks like a great time! I would love a new pair of shoes…my old running sneaks are currently my group ex instructing shoes and I’m looking to replace them with something fun and bright!
New running shoes and a pair of capris!
I would love to get some new running shoes, especially since I will be training for my very first race very soon!
I would love some new shoes and some new workout tops.
I also tweeted about this giveaway. My handle is @ndloveny
I need some Reebok nanos!
i can never have enough athletic shoes. 😀
I’d love to get a pair of the Nanos!
A new pair of shoes and shorts!