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’m in desperate need of new sports bras and cute tops!
I definitely need some new shoes, but maybe a good sports bra too!
I’d love to grab that long, blue tank (and lots of others, of course)–looks so comfy!
My husband and I just bought our first house, and I also just purchased my first gym membership, and I’d love to get that long workout top for my long torso, and some new sports bras too!
I need some new capris!
I really want that Who Made the Rules shirt!!!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/pepperhugger/status/351454066360070146
I need a new pair of running shoes so that would be my pick!
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
I always need tops but I’m about to need some new shoes too! Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
I just started working with a personal training so I’m doing all kinds of exercises I’m not used to and I’m a bit wobbly since I’m wearing my running sneakers. Therefore, I could REALLY use a pair of sneakers like you mentioned that provide a bit more stability!
I need some shorts and new sports bras!
I DESPERATELY need new running shoes, mine are way to big for me 🙁 I could also use a good pair of workout shorts for these HOT georgia summers.
I loved the teal tank you wore, and i’m in desperate need for new shoes.
I would get new sneakers for my summertime fitness regime
I would pick a new pair of running shoes – training for my first marathon starts next week!
I would really love to get a couple new workout tops from Reebok!
Definitely the Las Cruces 2″ short to beat (or try and beat) the Southern heat and humidity!
I would love some new workout tanks or sports bras!
I would love some new workout clothes! I’m new to the whole gym scene. I’m just rockin old t-shirts and shorts to exercise in. Not so girly 😉
I’d use it for some capris. My current ones are really wearing out!
Thanks so much!
I would love to buy the nanos!!
I could use a new pair of shoes.)
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/Running4Treats/status/351454900623908865
I would like a new pair of walking sneakers. I like their EasyTone Lead – Balance Ball Shoe
I would love a pair of Nanos!
I’d love any of their capris, and the awesome PWR long bra top you’ve blogged about!
Of course I would want everything!!! But I would probably go with shoes, while I stay true to the ones I love, I enjoy trying out new pairs.
I’m really loving those new running shoe colors. Mine are getting a bit worn… so I’m on the look out for a new pair. I tend to not do distances greater than 5 miles
tweet
https://twitter.com/kellysaver/status/351455755695685635
I’d love some new workout tanks or shorts for this summer!
I would love a pair of the nanos to wear during bodypump!
I could really use a new pair of shoes!!
I love that blue top! Finding comfortable long workout tops is always problematic for me! However, I also love the idea of the stability shoes you mentioned! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
I just started weightlifting and when I do squats I am so wobbly I’m like Bambi! I would use the gift card for a pair of training sneakers!
I just started running again and could really use some new sneakers!
It sounds like you had a blast this weekend! If I won, I would use it to buy a new pair of shorts or a new top 🙂
I tweeted! It would be so wonderful to win some comfortable gear.
I’m in need of some sports bras and tanks! 🙂
I would love a pair of the nanos!
I would love to buy some new clothes to workout in! All of your workout clothes are cute and look comfortable to wear!
New shoes are a necessity!
Definitely some shoes!! My running shoes are completely worn down and have no traction anymore 🙁
I would love a couple pair of running capris and maybe a cute flowy tank top or two. The ones you selected (in yesterday’s post) were super cute. 🙂
I also tweeted the giveaway:)
I LOVE the tank top and neon shoes you blogged about! I would love to win because new clothes and shoes it may help motivate me to get off my butt and become the healthy/fit person I know I could be but having a hard time becoming.
A girl could always use a new pair of shoes! 🙂
I’d have to go with some new running shoes! I’m starting to train for a 10K, so this would be perfect timing 🙂
I’ve actually been eyeing a pair of Nanos, so they’re probably what I’d choose!! 🙂
Loving that blue tank! Would also love to try out their running shoes. =)