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 also put the link on my twitter!
I need workout tank tops. I love the long blue one you have too!
I could definitely use some cute new summer workout clothes like shorts and tanks!
I would love a new pair of shoes for strength and non-running workouts. I just spent a pretty penny on a new pair of running shoes that are supposed to help me with stability so for the days I’m not running I need a fun new pair! Portland looks like a blast!
Great recap! Portland seems like such an amazing city. With the giftcard, I would definitely invest in some of those long work-out tanks for running/yoga and maybe put a little towards a new pair of Nanos! I didn’t realize they could be better for a cross-training workout than standard running shoes and I’m eager to try them!
I’ve never really invested in a super expensive pair of running/cross training shoes.. so I would definitely buy a new pair of sneakers. Thanks! 🙂
Tweeted it! @abcd_erg
I tweeted!
I would love to buy some new workout clothes, especially some new black workout capris and workout tanks!
Looks like you had a great time – I’m loving all the updates and food porn! 😉 I’d love to get a pair of brightly colored shoes for strength workouts and circuit training. Reebok offers such awesome colors!
Hi, I’d love a Reebok gift card! I always need new shoes, so I would probably use it for that. 🙂
I’d love the Nano’s for all my Crossfit needs.
Shoes! I need some new ones! and bright ones are awesome!!
I definitely need some tank tops to run in this summer since it is so hot!
The Nanos! I need a new pair of shoes for my circuit workouts! Love Reebok!
I could really use a new pair of sneakers. Like you, I run in a pair, but I could use a different pair for the bootcamp class I take twice a week. And those neon colors are fabulous!!
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
I tweeted!!!!
I need a new pair of shoes! I love all of the blogger reviews of Reeboks’ shoes to help me find a great pair!
I love the neon shoes and the cute workout shirts!
would love to buy some reebok nanos! i use my running sneakers for allll my workouts- spinning, lifting, circuit training, running- so it’d probably be a good idea to invest in some shoes for lifting/circuit training to preserve the life of my running shoes 🙂
I love the PWR short sleeve shirts!
I LOVE the new running shoe and would love to get those!
I need a new pair of cross training shoes, so I would definitely check out the Nanos 🙂
I would definitely buy some sort of summer workout outfit…I begin training for my second half marathon soon, and the humidity is already so intense! Running outside in my running capris will no longer be a good idea 🙂
I tweeted!! https://twitter.com/kaitlyn_e88/status/351701861109215233
I would like a long tank or some new capris!
And I posted on Twitter! (alyssa_outloud)
I would pick new cross training shoes or a new pair of running shorts!
Definitely need a new pair of Oly shoes! Mine are almost 2 years old and near falling apart.
I would pick new running shoes. Mine are shot from half marathon training!
I would love a new pair of shoes
I need warm weather gear- light weight tanks and shorts!!!
I would love that gift card, I need some new workout clothes!
I would love to use the gift card for a pair of Zumba shoes! I just started Zumba and LOVE it. But my walking shoes and running shoes don’t work for Zumba, they hurt my arches so I need to get a pair just for Zumba and this would help a ton!
I also posted to Twitter! (@ColieMarieL)
I’d buy a new sports bra for my half marathon coming up in a month!!
I would pick some work out shorts to make it through the 100+ summers here.
Love Reebok’s “Who made the rules” tank! or running shorts. 🙂
I would definitely get new workout capris! I love working out in capris, but I only have 1 pair. The sports bras also look really supportive!
I would love to buy a new pair of running shoes…..I have issues with bursitis and new shoes are a must for me at this point 🙂
I majorly NEED new running shoes; mine are starting to rip, but I love them. A gc would ease the pain if parting with my beloved old shoes
I also tweeted!
https://twitter.com/knfulphorst/status/351703907216539648
I could always use a new workout top! Although my husband may disagree… 😀
I would use it to buy the new Nano’s. I’m in need of a new cross-training shoe and I’d love to try those.
I am always in need of new workout tops!!
new sneaks!
I would love to buy a new pair of running shoes. Mine currently have holes in them!
I think new running shoes are in order! 😀
I desperately need some new sneakers!! I wouldn’t turn down a new tank top either 🙂