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 tweeted! @stylefilesval 🙂
I am training for a 10NM (11.5 mi) race and have been logging a ton of miles so a new pair of kicks would be AWESOME! Fingers crossed!
I’m in DIRE need of a new pair of shoes!
I’d love to try a new pair of reebok sneakers!!
I would love to get a new pair of shoes for my CrossFit class. I just started last month and wear my unstylish running shoes (Asics). 🙂
Always love Reebok and would get either another pair of sneakers or some more running clothes.
Just signed up for the Disney World Marathon 2014! I would love a new pair of running shoes!!!! \(^O^)/
I also tweeted about the giveaway @cattaz2001
I would love to try some Reebok clothes! Maybe a new tank or some capris.
I need new sneakers, and shirts for running during summer!
Love the neon (and Reebok) and could definitely use some new running shoes! Awesome giveaway!
I love that teal tank top!
I’m addicted to cute workout clothes. I would definitely get more if I won!
I also tweeted! @CharlotteMcGui1
I’d invest in some new running shoes tout suite! I used to run distance and am getting back into it (the plan is to slowly build back up: 5K, 10K, half marathon). My old kicks are completely out of support so it’s been a challenge so far. What a great giveaway, thank you!! 🙂
I just tweeted as well! @katieyoung131
I would love to buy a new summer workout top and sports bra!
Oh I would love to get some new workout clothes! I have to keep rotating the same outfits over and over!!! This would be awesome!
I really want to try the new Reebok running shoes! Although I love my Mizuno Wave Riders, too 🙂 I also need new running shorts and tanks.
I’d love to share the giftcard with my wife and son. We are signed up for the Disney’s Tower of Terror weekend – my wife is doing the 10 miler and we are doing the 5K.
Keep the updates on Portland coming – your food and location descriptions make me anxious to travel there!
I would love a new pair of running shoes!
Hi Julie! Been reading your blog for awhile now, love all your recipes! I’d like to enter the Reebok contest – I need some cute new workout tops for my hip hop class 🙂
Being deployed, I need to stay fit. I spend lots of time in the gym and on the run. I would definitely be able to use the gift card for some new kicks or tanks. It’s blazing in Egypt. I love Reebok. We are avid Crossfitters here, and gym time is how I relax. 🙂
I would love a new pair of sneakers! I could also use some new workout pants:)
I love the yoga line from Reebok! I would love to win this!!
I also tweeted @salfo80!
New Shoes! I’ve been shopping for new trainers.
Thanks for the description of the shoes on your post –both pairs sound like they would be great to try out for my workouts (circuit, tabata, running). I’ve never owned Reeboks and this is a perfect excuse to do so!
Nanos!!! I definitely need some new shoes to wear for my non-running workouts.
After running three half marathon in seven weeks, my running trainers are WORN OUT. I would use this gift card for new shoes to power me through more races!
I would probably get some of their workout tights – I love ’em almost as much as Lulu!
I would definitely buy a new workout top! I’m in desperate need of cute new workout clothes!
I would LOVE a $100 gift card to get some new capri length tights! I literally wore my last pair until I got a hole in them and have been missing them ever since!
This is an awesome giveaway! I would love to win a $100 gift card to buy some new gear before I start a 6 month program to become a certified Personal Trainer 🙂
I would love to check out some of their clothes!
I would buy some new workout shorts. I’ve lost a few pounds and the shorts I’m wearing are getting a little big. Yay me! So, time to go shopping.
I would definitely use the gift card towards a design your own shoe! I’ve always wanted to create my own pair but have never really wanted to invest in it! It would be an awesome treat to keep me motivated.
I tweeted about it! https://twitter.com/LivinLyssa/status/351804804009426945
Thanks for the great giveaway! Definitely in need of some running shorts and long tops since I have a long torso too!
I really need a new pair of running shoes! And the “highlighter” ones were too cute!
I would love a new Reebok workout top or two!
I would love new shoes to start training for a marathon!
I could badly use a new pair of shoes. I run, do bootcamp at home. I can definitely go hard in my shoes. They’ve seen better days but with moving to buy my forever home with my love, I’m saving every penny.
My hubby and I just started teaching a boot camp class at our Krav Maga gym and I would LOVE some new shoes to start my teaching!
Some new workout tanks are needed for this hot weather!!
I would love to buy a new pair of shoes!!!
A sweatshirt or jacket since it is getting cold where I live.
I would love a new pair of sneakers!
I want a new pair of shoes. Just had a baby 6 weeks ago and can’t wait to get back into shape !
I am really need a new pair of those snazzy running shoes:)
I don’t own any training shoes and I truly believe that they would help me in my group fitness classes!