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 $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers: http://ow.ly/mwwIn !” Just remember to leave a separate comment on this post telling me that you tweeted, so I can make sure your entry counts!
I will randomly select a winner on Tuesday. Good luck!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
Been reading your blog and think this is only my second comment. I’m not much of a commenter 🙂 I love CF and have been wanting some nanos! Also, will be running the Portland marathon in October! Can’t wait to try out some of the restaurants you mentioned!
I would love some new capris and tank tops!
I would get cross training shoes for boot camp!
I would love a pair of the nanos. I definitely need more stability in my group exercise classes!
I need new shoes soooo badly
I love my reebok shoes that I use for crossfit type training and would love to get another pair!
New running shoes! I’ve had the same pair for awhile and it’s safe to say they are worn out. It’s definitely time for a new pair!
Hi, Julie! I would absolutely love the 100$ Reebok Gift Card!! I am a College Student at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville and currently training for my very first half marathon– it’s the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Feb. 😉 If I was to win, I would most definitely purchase a pair of true running shoes– and maybe a few clothing items to keep me cool while I’m training in this Florida heat! Thank you!!
-Lindsey May
Tweeted!
I need a new air of sneakers for crosstraining! I love the zig nanos, but mine are getting prety worn out!
New running shoes! I’ve had the same pair for awhile and it’s safe to say that they are worn out. It’s definitely time for a new pair!
I would love a rule shirt and some new shorts!
I would get new running shoes. I ran a half marathon in April and it’s definitely time for a new pair!
I would use the gift card for a new pair of shoes. I’ve been excited to try out a pair of Reebox! I’m 32 weeks pregnant and a new pair of shoes would be a great way to kick off the post pregnancy workouts!
I would love a new workout top and a pair of capris!!! I always feel so much more motivated and empowered to work out when I have on great looking workout gear!!!
I would love to win a gift card for Reebok to get some cute new gym clothes. Not that I don’t love ratty old t-shirts 😉 But I would love to have some cute stuff to wear to for working out!
oooooooo I would love a new pair of colorful sneakers!
I need to retire my running shoes… I’d love to get a new pair!
I love the neon colored shoes! That is definitely where I would spend the money 🙂
I am definitely due for a new pair of shoes! But I also love all of the cute work out clothes you have been wearing lately 🙂
Tweeted!
I would use the gift card to get the Nano’s. As a mom of 2 young boys I have to make every workout count & cross-functional workouts help do that! Love your blog.
Looks like you guys had a good time 🙂 I would love the nano shoes for kickboxing workouts and days when I’m not running!
I would love to win and purchase a new pair of Reebok Nanos to inspire me to get my butt back in the gym!
I want the shoes love them!!
I’d start with shoes and then splurge on a new workout tank. 🙂
I tweeted, “Hoping to win a $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers: http://ow.ly/mwwIn!”
Probably the nanos or some workout tops!
ive been lusting over those hot pink nanos. and the ‘who made the rules’ tee is cool too!
And I tweeted the giveaway! @Sabrina_Alex
I would love some new workout capris! 🙂
I recently got engaged and would love a new top and shorts to motivate me to continue working out to get in wedding dress shape! New workout clothes seem to always have the ability to make me want to hit the gym and sweat a little 🙂
I would love some new long running tops! The teal colored one you are wearing in this post is cute!!
Also, I just tweeted about the giveaway:
https://twitter.com/dorisrebeccaj/status/351524409401548800
I could use some new running shoes and I love the looks of the ONE Cushions you’re rocking above!
I would love a giftcard for more workout clothes! Mine are getting pretty ratty and when you’re trying to lose weight it is hard to justify buying something nice and new that won’t fit in a few months!
I definitely need some new runners and some tops to motivate me to start running more this summer! I want to run a 10k by the end of the summer 🙂
It would be hard to chose but I would probably get that tank you have on in the photo in lots of colors! I love longer tanks!
Just donated my old running shoes after my first mud run! This would make buying a new pair much easier 🙂
I would love a long bra tank!! I have a long torso and proper workout clothes that a flattering are hard to find!
I am long due for some new sneakers! Would love these!!
So many things I would buy…shoes, capris, workout tops!!
So glad you got the chance to go to this event in Portland! I love hearing about it all. I am in desperate need of some new shoes for my circuit workouts since I am currently using my running shoes which just don’t support the right kind of movement. The nano’s sound perfect!
I would definitely pick out some cute workout tanks and shorts! Thanks for the giveaway.
I also tweeted https://twitter.com/erinmkelly1/status/351525688974647297 !
I need those nanos! I hope I win 🙂
I really need lightweight summer running clothes… Tanks and shorts!
I could totally use a new pair of kicks for the summer!
I desperately need some new running shoes so I would use the card for shoes!!! 🙂
I would love some warmer weather workout gear, probably some sorts and a cute top! Cute is a must 🙂