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 defitnitely buy a new pair of shoes. My running and workout shoes were bought second hand because that was all I could afford. I would love a brand new pair of shoes!
nothing motivates me to get my sweat on like new workout gear! especially a fun top or shoes 🙂
I would love to use the gift card to get some new running shoes for shorter distances! I also use the Wave Riders for longer runs!
I need new shoes desperately!!!
I need a new pair of running shoes….. but I WANT a cute new workout top 😉
I would definitely buy a new workout top! I feel like I go through them way too fast and am always on the lookout for new ones.
Just tweeted! http://ow.ly/mwwIn
I just moved to Chicago and need to stock up on cold weather running gear. I can’t wait to run along the lake but it’s going to be a tad chilly most of the year. I also want to add a little color to my athletic wardrobe. I’m jumping on the neon bandwagon!
I would love some new bright workOut clothes for summer!!!
Whoops… Link was bad. Just tweeted! https://twitter.com/swim215/status/351546017109389313
Workout clothes! Something that would transition from running to yoga class.
Tweeted! Thanks!
Sneakers!! My current pair has a lot of wear and tear! I am ready for new ones!
Something with bright colors — for sure!
I am in desperate need of cute new workout tops (like the one you’re wearing!) My cotton t-shirts are getting raggedy!
Because some of the nicer workout tops are a little pricey, I often wear just a cotton tank to the gym. On one hand, the giant back-sweat mark that emerges after a run is sometimes worn as a trophy of accomplishment, but I think I would feel (and look) much better and less..uh, sticky…if I had a cute tank like the Reebok one you are wearing in your photos. Plus, I love blue!
I’d love some of those great bright shoes. Thanks Julie.
I would love to have a new pair of running shoes and running outfit to run my first 5K in!!! (the color run!)
I’d try the nanos–for crossfit!
i would love a new workout top!
new shoes probably the nanos
I would love some new workout shirts. I suffer from a lo g torso and love the teal one you are wearing in the pictures above. Or a new pair of shoes for crossfit training
Hi Julie! I’d love to get some new shoes and workout tops 🙂 I’ve seen so many great items on yours and other blogs and would love to do some shopping !
I would definitely buy some new running shoes. I just got my hubby these– http://trail-running-shoe-review.blogspot.de/2013/06/reebok-men-zigmaze-ii-running-shoe-order.html –Reeboks for his birthday, and they are way cool! 🙂
I would buy several new workout tops! Love the colors!
New shoes for sure! I seem go through them so quickly!
Hope you gals had a fabulous time in Portland … I have to say I do love my hometown 😉
I would love a new pair of shoes. Always buying my kiddos shoes and I really need some to teach my fitness classes and bootcamp.
I would love some new workout gear, nothing is more motivating than a fresh new workout tank or a new par of shoes!
I love your review on the nanos, because I’ve been needing some training shoes that will give me support during my circuits, Zumba, and other workouts!
new running shoes in their awesome neon colors would be so great!
I could definitely use a new bright fun workout top!!
I could definitely use some new tops – particularly some brightly colored ones!
I tweeted!
I tweeted 🙂
As a college student, buying workout clothes unfortunately isn’t the first place I can spend my money (or what little I have!). I’m currently training for a half marathon in my area that is in two weeks and would love to be able to purchase some new sports bras and shorts. My running attire mostly entails free “track swag” from high school along with some other random articles of clothing that I picked up along the way. I know how to stretch $100 and I’d love nothing more than to win this :).
PS I tweeted about it! @kshottes
I could really use some new running shorts for the summer! All of mine are so worn out!
I love the nanos! I could also def use some new workout tops, especially the longer ones!
I would absolutely love to get a new pair of Reebok shoes! It looks like you had a great time in Portland! So glad:)
I would love some new workout clothes for my soon to be growing pregnant tummy!
I could really use some new running shoes, mine are getting pretty beat up!
I would definitely stock up on some running shorts! They are such a necessity in this heat!
I would buy a new pair of shoes! I am in desperate need of some updated cross trainers!
I need some new tanks for this summer! I’m already sporting a pretty awesome racerback tanline, but hey! That’s better than a farmers tan, right?
I would definitely buy the new CrossFit women’s board shorts. So so cute!
I definitely need a new pair of shoes!
I NEED NEED NEED new shoes! I have been wanting the reebok zigs for awhile but have heard great things about reebok’s new shoes!
I tweeted (@julie13point1)
Shoes! I have 1 pair of running shoes and would love the chance to buy a 2nd pair for my non-cardio/running days.
I would love to use the gift card to buy some shorts and bras for my Bikram yoga practice!