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 love some new tank tops! they look so cute!
I’d LOVE to get an exact replica of the tank we got at last year’s Fitbloggin’! Love it and I can’t seem to find it online.
I would probably get a pair of nanos, since my current cross-training shoes give me blisters =[
I’d buy new a new tank top! I’m in the middle of training for my first half marathon and would love a top to help stay cool in the summer heat!
I definitely would use it towards a new pair of sneakers!
I tweeted! @fitncookies
Oh my gosh! I’d love to get some capri pants & maybe a sports bra for my outdoor boot camp sessions!
I’d get workout shorts! I’ve been wearing capris since I started working out and I am ready to try shorts.
I would use the gift certificate for a new pair of shoes!
I would use the gift card towards either the shoes shown above or some nice workout pants and tops
I could really use $100, I’d probably use it for some cute new workout clothes and a new sports bra.
definitely the shoes! new running shoes!
I would love to buy some new rebook sneakers! I have recently been doing some of your functional training work outs when before I basically only ran. Now I would love shoes with more support. Thanks for doing this Julie! Love your blog, you’re awesome!
I would love to buy a pair of the Nanos because I just started doing Crossfit and have heard great things about them. I just haven’t had the extra money to purchase a pair. I love the look of the tank top also!
I would get some bright new shoes! All of mine are boring.
Definitely some workout tops and bottoms!
I am in desperate need of new running shoes! I got into running about a year ago and started out with a pair of asics (which have been great!) but they’re started to wear down and I could use a new pair to begin training for my 3rd half marathon this September! Reebok sounds like the place to go 🙂
I would love some new tops!
Love the hair party! My girlfriends and I do that whenever we get together as well. I’ve been looking for some new work out capris and shorts.
I would love to buy new shoes….mine are worn out and have had a hard time forking over money for a new pair.
I tweeted as well!
New shoes!
I would buy a new pair of sneakers and would definitely go into a Reebok store to get their advice on which shoe is best for me. I’m training for the ZOOMA FL Half Marathon and my current shoes do nothing for my arches. Thanks for this awesome giveaway!!!
Training for ironman and would love some cute gym clothes to get me through weights days!
I would love a new pair of sneakers!!
I have been meaning to get new running shoes for the longest time so I would definitely try out some of Reebok’s.
I could definitely use those Nanos for lifting!
The red pants with text that were in the Fitbloggin Fashion show were so HOT! Would love those.
I would love to get a new pair of running/workout shoes that are in the trendy neon colors! I might also like to get a cute workout top for the fall for when I go to college!
I would love some new workout capris and Reebok has the best!
How fun!
I would definitely use the gift card for a new pair of shoes for cross training, I love all their colors!
I need some good sports bras for half marathon training!
I would love to try out a pair of the nanos!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I would love that teal top and a pair of cross trainers 🙂
I would love a new pair of sneakers!
I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed some cute new workout tops!
I desperately need some sleeveless workout shirts for the summer and some more athletic shorts too! Now that I think about it, I only have one pair of workout pants with pockets, so I think I would grab one of those too.
I’d use them to get the new Nano 3.0’s! I tend to roll onto my toes when lifting in CF and the flat shoes make a huge difference!!!
I would definitely get some new workout tops for the summer! All of my shirts are short sleeve, so I think I need some new tank tops!
i would love new workout clothes!
I’m in dire need of new running shoes and new cross training shoes, so I’d love a bright new reebok pair!
I am running the NYC marathon this fall and it would be great to have a new pair of shoes!
I would love to use the giftcard for some new running shoes! My kicks are well over 500 miles!
I would love some new running sneakers so I have an excuse to take a break from studying for the bar exam and actually enjoy the summer weather for a few glorious minutes!
I’d probably get a running t-shirt first since my shoulders burned recently when I wore a tank out on an afternoon run. I swear I’m wearing sunscreen, but the summer sun’s so relentless that I sweat it all off in a minute :/ Ouch. What nice products, though. Reebok seems to be re-branding themselves well. Remember when they used to put those stripes on absolutely everything? Glad they’re past that.
I would love a crossfit headband! I have yet to find one that doesnt slip.
I would buy some cute workout gear.
I’d love to purchase a new pair of sneakers!
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/NattieRuns/status/351450967297888256
Tweeted as well! @bayleesncream