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!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I too love highlighter running shoes so those would be on my list to purchase.
Since my torso and arms are so long (I swear my buckles drag the ground), I would get a couple of those tanks.
I would love a new pair of their running shoes!
I also tweeted about your giveaway 🙂
I would love to use the gift card to buy a cute running outfit! New workout clothes always make it easier to get the run or circuit done!
I would be super tempted to get a workout tank (love them!), but I’d probably give the gift card to my dad. He JUST started running with finishing a 5k as his goal and could use a new pair of shoes!
I would love a new pair of sneakers! Though, I have a little bit of a workout tank addiction, so there will probably be one of those ordered too! 🙂
I recently bought a Reebok workout top on sale and LOVE it! I would love to buy a few more work out shirts for the hot summer in GA!
I tweeted it! I really want to win lol!
Dana@WndblwninMD tweeted about the contest. “Hoping to win a $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers: http://ow.ly/mwwIn !”
Running shorts!! I’m down to only 3 pairs and definitely need to replenish my stock
I would love some new workout clothes!
I would love some shoes! Any colour of the rainbow!!
I need some new shorts. This is my first summer running so I need to stock up on shorts.
I tweeted! @vanessarose10
I would be so grateful to win this gift card! I have been dying to get a pair of Reebok Nanos for the past year. All of my crossfit coaches bug me about getting a pair instead of wearing my mizuno running shoes because the Nano’s are so much better for crossfit!
I would love a new pair of running shoes!
I really like the Sport Essential Long Bra Top (the different color straps are so fun!) and the Crossfit Las Cruces shorts.
Ah so hard to choose! I’d probably get a workout top or shorts since I’m always in need and NEVER want to do laundry!
Id buy new shoes!!!
I just started doing yoga with my mom. I would love to buy some of their yoga clothes!
I would get anew pair of running shoes.
I need more lightweight workout gear! I moved closer to the eastern coast and it is just so darn hot! I am not used to it!
I tweeted about your giveaway as well!
I would use the gift card to buy new running shoes…those neon shoes are soooo cute!
I always need work out tops. All the Reebok ones are super cute!
I would love to get a pair of Reebok Nanos!!
The Farm is my favorite restaurant in Portland! I used every excuse to eat there and never had a bad meal. So glad you found it! Since I just moved to the Vegas area from Portland, I need to stock up on some tanks and shorts to wear for my desert runs.
Thanks for the chance to win!! I desperately need some new workout clothes!!
That fitbloggin’ conference looks like so much fun! Loved reading the recap!
As for the reebok card giveaway, I think I would buy a pair of running shoes to try out.
I need a new pair of running shoes!
I would love to win this gift card to buy some nanos! I do circuit workouts all the time and often feel unstable. I would to get better shoes for his kind of workout!
I am in desperate need of new work out tops!
I’d love to get a nice lightweight tank for summer running!
I am hoping to get some new shorts and tanks. Also, I tweeted the giveaway:)
I would love a new pair of running shoes!
I tweeted about the giveaway! 🙂
Julie, you look so beautiful! If I won the $100 gift card, the first thing I’d buy are cute yoga tops! As a yoga instructor teaching 3 − 5 times / week, I’m always looking for more gear 🙂
Thanks for offering this giveaway!
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/amandakteacher/status/351458693528821761
I’d love to get a new tank for running. Mine are so worn out!
I would love to use the Reebok giftcard to buy a pair of Reebok Nanos!!! I’ve recently started doing a lot of lifting and functional training and am loving the results I’m seeing. But doing them in my traditional running shoes is killing my feet, and I don’t have it in my budget right now to purchase a second pair of quality shoes.
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/kendraalleen/status/351458617582551044
I would buy a running outfit and shoes if there is enough left over:)
I would love a few new tops!
I would love a pair of those neon shoes!!! Mine have seen better days…
I would love some new shoes!!! 🙂
I tweeted about the giveaway!
I am new to consistent exercising and I just started a friendly exercise challenge with my sister and best friend! I am in dire need of new running shoes to “keep me in the running”!
I would love some new tank-workout tops!!
I would love a cute new workout tank or tshirt!