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 need some new running tights. Mine are a bit snug.
I would love some new work out gear! 🙂
I’d love to have a pair of Nanos for my gym workouts. They come in such cute colours!
Also tweeted it! @itssamiam
I really need more workout tops – especially long ones like the one you talk about at the beginning of this post. I love it!
I would love to win this gift card! I need some new work-out tops and really like the ones that Reebok offers.
I recently started crossfit and would love a pair of nanos!
This would be the perfect gift card to win! I think I’d either buy a new pair of purple kicks (my fav color) or maybe a new running outfit!
Also I tweeted! Here’s the link: https://twitter.com/init4thelngrun/status/351706404253470722
I would get some new running shoes. I’ve recently had ingrown nail issues and my current running shoes are a bit small and KILL my toes.
I’d buy a new pair of shoes
I would love a new pair of shOes!
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/351707091519545347
I’d use $100 for a new pair of how’s for p90x!!
I could use some new tops!
I need new capris!
I’m always looking for long workout tops like you, and would love to use the gift card towards a couple of those you mentioned above!
I’m a highschool athlete (volleyball, soccer, track) and I’m working on keeping fit this summer by running, circuit workouts (your blog helps), and eating right (love all the goodies you post). My shoes are DONE. I’ve ran every mile out of them, and shoes are so incredibly expensive and I would just LOVE to get this gift card to get me a new pair(: I’m praying I win this!!
I recently started Crossfit, so I could really use some new shoes!
I’d love to get the yoga tee in aqua vapor
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love a new pair of shoes & a workout top…love the one you were wearing in the last post!
I tweetd: https://twitter.com/kristy_joy/status/351708503896899584
I would love to buy a pair of nano’s! I’ve been crossfitting for 6 months now and I’ve heard great things about these shoes!
I could definitely use new shoes! Mine have been well seasoned. 🙂 Nanos could be fun!
I would love a new pair of shoes or top from Reebok! I workout and train for my full time job so I need all the gear I can get!!!!!
I would love some new running gear, like the Reebok ONE sneakers and running socks! Thanks for hosting this giveaway 🙂
I would love some new running shoes!
I would love some new running shoes!!
Mamma needs some new tops!
I could totally use some new capris!!
I would love some new cross training shoes or some summer tanks for running.
I would love to get some of those long work out tops! great colors
I’d love to get my hands on a pair of the new Nano 3.0s!
I would love a new top and capris for teaching spin class!
I would love to buy a pair of the RealFlex Scream shoes!
I am serious need of some new sports bras!!!
I would definitely get some new cute tops!
I would love to win this gift card! I have recently found my passion for running and working out and it all comes with a price. It would be great to try a new pair of shoes better suited for CrossFit as i am about to endeavor into the workout with some coworkers. This gift card could truly help with my love affair of working out and staying fit! 🙂
P.S. Julie my love affair for working out is all thanks to your blog! You really motivate me to go out and get sweaty daily! Thank you so much for being an inspiration! 🙂
I would love a pair of the Nanos!
I’d love to win the giftcard! I’d probably pick out a PWR top (thanks to your rave reviews) and treat my boyfriend to some Crossfit gear for his birthday.
I would love to get myself a new pair of running shoes- I still haven’t found a pair I absolutely love!
This looks like so much fun! I would buy a pair of cross-trainers and probably one of the cute tanks.
New shorts for kickboxing and a tank top for running!
I would love to treat myself to a new workout top and shorts for my sweet 16 birthday!! 🙂 BTW, it’s today!!
I am in need of a new pair of outdoor running shoes for the summer!
I think I’d get a new pair of running shoes! Or maybe a couple tank tops….hmmmm, or maybe some capris…maybe it’d just help take the edge off of a much needed shopping spree!
If I was ever lucky enough to win this gift card, I would most definitely use it to buy a pair of sneakers! Neon of course 🙂
I would love to buy some new shoes. I need a better pair for circuits, bootcamp workouts.
I want a pair of the nanos!
Neon shoes for sure!!! I’ve never thought of wearing a less cushioned shoe for bootcamp / crossfit style workouts before, so that’s definitely what I would use it for 🙂 🙂