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’d love to get the DMX Max Mania shoes! Loved the photos from the conference, they exude fun and energy 😀
I would love to have some colorful workout clothes for the summer!
Tweeted here: https://twitter.com/LifesDeepColors/status/351556700869890050
I soooo need new workout capris!!!
I would love to be able to get a new pair of running shoes!
I desperately need new shoes! I’m back at boot camp and I’m wearing out the two pairs that I have very quickly!! And I would love some fun, vibrant colors!
And I tweeted the giveaway as well. 🙂
I need a new pair of shoes.
I would love either a bright workout tank or some new workout capris!
Just tweeted! https://twitter.com/heath1026
Reebok has such colorful gear!! Especially the Nanos!!! I’ve read great reviews from you and Tina, along with others. I’ve been itching to try out a pair!!!
I love that long green top you have on in the above post. I need new work out tops like that!
I would love a new pair of shoes that are fun and bright for summer!
New pullover
I would love a new pair of running shoes or workout clothes!
Awesome giveaway! Would definitely love some new running shorts or capris!
I would love to try the Nanos!
New shoes! I have been lusting after the new Reebok shoes for ages and fall in love with every single pair you own everytime I see a new one pop up!
I Tweeted as well! I love your blog Julie 🙂
I would get the ZigCarbon running shoes.
I’d love to get some new workout tops for running in the summer heat!
Oh not sure! Sports bra or running shoes! Or workout capris! 😉
I really need new shoes. I think the Reebok Nanos sound great for the type of exercise I usually do.
I am in desperate need of a new pair of shoes!! I have been running in my current shoes for about 2 years and I am need of a new pair! Thanks for such a great giveaway!
I would love nanos!
I’m in need of some new workout tops and capris! Would love to win the gift card to buy a new outfit or two 🙂
I would buy some new breathable workout tops and shorts! I start training for my third half starting in a couple weeks, and summers in Oklahoma are torture!
I could use some shoes like the nanos, all I have are running shoes and would like some cross-trainers.
I desperately need a new pair of running sneakers!
I would love the teal top. Love the color and fabrics looks solid and comfortable.
I need a new pair of running shoes! Or trainers..hmm..
I just set the goal to become a runner a few weeks ago. It’s coming along slowly but steadily, but I could really use a new pair of running shoes mine are OLD.
I would love a new top with some color. A lot of my workout clothes are black or dark coloured
i really want custom nanos! thanks for the giveaway!! 🙂
I would love a new tank top and shorts or leggings!
Hi, Julie! I am currently training for my fourth half marathon (hopefully the first under 2:00), and I would definitely use the gift card toward a new pair of Reebok running shoes. 🙂
Also: I tweeted the Reebok giveaway!
I definitely need some new workout clothes!
I’d love a gift card for new shorts! I desperately need more pairs, I’m always doing laundry!
I would love to get the nanos!!!
I definitely need some new workout tank tops!
I recently took up running (love it!!) and would like to start running longer distances so I would definitely utilize a good pair of running shoes!
I’m on the hunt for a new pair of running shoes and I’m really intrigued by the Reebok ONE’s that you talked about in this post. I need some high-quality shoes for a half marathon this fall and think those could be great. Plus I love the colors on the website!
need commfy shorts!
a pair of nanos would be awesome!!!
I would love to try a pair of Reebok nanos for kettle bell training!
and it tweeted. 🙂
I am in major need of some workout capris! I totally understand about the waist not staying up, and it’s no good for your workouts! I’d love to try some of their capris that you’ve mentioned!
I need a new pair of supportive shoes for strength training. I too am a HUGE Mizuno Wave Rider fan when it comes to running long distances, but I obviously don’t use them for strength training workouts. My current pair of Nikes for strength training is wearing quite thin…
Running in Africa has killed my running shoes. I would love to get a new pair!