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 need some more lightweight tops for marathon training in the hot and humid NYC summer!
I tweeted the giveaway! https://twitter.com/RebeccaGF666/status/351446705775976449
As an avid runner I always invest in good running shoes but lately I have been doing bootcamp workouts and could use a different pair of shoes that are better suited for outdoor HITT training!
Crossfit bra and top to celebrate my PR!!!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/BriannaCow
I’d pick up the Sport Essential 3/4 tights and the Sport Essential Quest skirt. Both look so flattering, and I’ve been wanting to try out a running skirt for a while!
Ah I would love a new pair of shoes as well as a new tank. 🙂
I would love some new CrossFit gear!! Love the blog btw 🙂
I would love to get some new running gear. I’m training for my second marathon! I love the Who Made the Rules shirt! 🙂
I tweeted as well
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
I would love a new top or shorts! I’m trying to get back into running outside & would love something to keep me cool in the summer!
Tweeted too 🙂 @Jessica_Cates
Definitely in need of some light tank tops for running!! Sports bras are always needed too 🙂
I would love a new pair of nanos!
I love to run! I am in desperate need for a top I can wear in the fall/winter for outside running! If I won this giveaway, I would get the Sports Esstential 1/4 zip! Looks perfect for running!
I would use the gift card for a new pair of running shoes. The last pair I bought fit great at the store and I had a similar model already but they are aggravating my feet and causing me pain. I don’t have the money for new shoes but I am training for a half marathon so new shoes would be fantastic. I also tweeted!
The conference sounds like a blast! Thanks to your last post I found some more awesome blogs to follow. Thanks!
I would love to get the Reebok Nano’s because I’ve just started incorporating boot-camp style workouts to my typical running schedule and notice my running shoes just don’t provide the stability I need for single leg lunges, squat jumps etc. I would love a new pair to try!! Thanks Julie!
Looks like such an awesome conference! And now I really want to go to Portland. 🙂 I would definitely buy some new shoes–I have great running shoes but would love some better strength training/circuit training shoes.
I’d love the reebok nanos. I have heard great things from many people and I want to try them in crossfit.
I would buy some new summer workout tops! I have to do laundry so much in the summer!
I just shared this giveaway! https://twitter.com/salstory/status/351446950438117377
I would totally use it for shoes! I actually went to buy a new pair of shoes yesterday but NONE seemed to work! Those shoes look so comfortable!
I also Tweeted about the giveaway 🙂 @Rachel_lyn584
I would get some new workout capris and tank tops for TurboKick and Bodypump, my favorite group classes!
I would love a pair of the super neon ONE cushion running sneakers! It’s about time I upgrade from the cheapest pair from DSW.
I’d love to try the new shoes for cross training!
I tweeted. @trainer_jamie
I tweeted too! 🙂
I’d love a new pair of capris that stay up while I run!
I would love to win the gift card for some new workout capris and shorts! I seem to rotate through the same 3 pairs of bottoms over and over again.
I’d love a new pair of shoes – both my running and cross-training shoes are in desperate need of replacement. I have to agree with you about loving brightly-colored shoes. I swear it makes my workout easier if I can look down and be slightly blinded by my shoes!
I would love to buy a new pair of sneakers for cross training!!!!
I woul love a giftcrd to try out a new pair of shoes from Reebok – especially a pair if nanos!
Oh Good Lord – sorry about the typos! Posting from my antiquated phone is always tricky!
Heading back to the Mount Dora Florida area and I need a pretty new cool tank top for my marathon training.
I tweeted this post! Keeping my fingers crossed for the gift card and a new pair of shoes!
A new pair of running shoes…DEFINITELY! I have been running in the same pair for 18 months now and they are shot ~! Definitely put a lot of miles on my current pair in the process of losing 76 pounds. Would love to be able to buy a good pair of running shoes for these knees!
Those shoes are adorable and I need a new pair 🙂 Thanks for the giveway, Julie!
I’m training for my first half-marathon and a new pair of running shoes would be amazing!
Some new kicks!!
I would love a new pair of shoes that I can wear for clinicals and cross training! Loving those neon ones!
tweeted!
I’ve realllllllly been wanting to try the Nanos! (the highliter yellow Ones look pretty sweet, too!).
Officially tweeted about the giveway! This Florida girl needs some new running shoes! 🙂
I could definitely use some more shorts and tank tops for this summer!
I would love a new pair of shoes and maybe some new shorts! 🙂
I would get capris pants and a workout top 🙂 you can never have too many workout tops!!
tweeted!
I am in dire need of light tops and shorts for summer running in Florida!
I tweeted about the giveaway!