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 tweeted!
I would LOVE some new running shoes!
I’d get a few of the Sport Essential Long Bra Tops. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’d love the yoga capris!!!
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/351859262575742976
I’d use it for a new pair of shoes! I recently bought new running shoes and they give me GREAT support but I’d love a pair of new training shoes to go to the gym in or to just do errands in
I would use the gift card on a super cute (and functional!) pair of running shoes. Mine have seen much better days and I’m starting to feel it!
Oooh I’d love a new pair of shoes from Reebok! Mine are plum worn out!
A pair of cross training shoes!!
I tweeted
i would absolutely L-O-V-E the neon shoes. I just signed up for my first long distance race (10 mile) this October and need a perfect pair of shoes to train & the colors just make it even more fun!! 🙂 p.s. i tweeted, too!!
sleek tops for sure!!!!
A cute sports bar for this hot southern summer!
I’d either get a cute new tank for running, it’s getting pretty humid in New England or a new pair of shoes, I’m wearing out my “new” ones pretty quickly! Love hearing about your Fitbloggin’ adventure, sounds like so much fun (:
I’m in the market for some shoes that would work with boot camp style classes – so probably some Nanos!
I tweeted it as well!!
I would love some new shorts! Anyone have any recommendations? I’m training for my first half marathon in October and am finding that on longer runs my Nike shorts don’t keep me comfy!
I could use some new running tanks!
I could always use a new pair of running shoes!
There’s so much to choose from. But I have been eying a pair of nano’s for a long time.
I would love to get the highlighter-colored running shoes. Super cute!
The yoga capris look so cute and comfy
hot pink nanos and pwr capris!
I would love to get some new shorts to work out in this hot hot hot weather in Alabama!
I’d love to buy some new capris 😀
I NEED the new Nanos!!! So cute!
I REALLY need and would LOVe some new running shoes! 🙂
I tweeted!! https://twitter.com/kRiStYnMaY/status/351875915229306880
I would buy some yoga shorts for the summertime, since the studio in which I practice yoga gets so hot in the summer months!
I would really appreciate some new running capris! My present ones are beginning to lose their stretch.
Although I do lovee shoes I think id invest in some summer running clothes!!
The Reebok ONE Cushion Sneakers look amazing! I’d absolutely love a pair.
Looks like you had a blast! I would love a new pair of running shoes. I’ve never owned a pair of reeboks and I would love to try them!
I’m in need of some new shoes and would love to try the nanos! I’m digging all the neon colors lately!
I would buy the PWR leggings- love them!
Just tweeted!
new shoes!!
In need of some great supportive sports bras!
I would get a new workout top!! I love getting fun and fitting tops to work out in. It motivates me to exercise!
I’d love anything from Reebok!!!
I need new cross training shoes.
After having my twins, I have been so busy being mommy that I put aside myself. It’s time to get back to me! I would definitely use the gift card for new Reebok workout shoes!
I would love a new pair of shoes! I am 34 weeks pregnant and can’t wait to get back to some hardcore workouts after my baby arrives!!!
I would love that workout top you are wearing! I need extra long tops!
A workout top and shorts…would perk up my dull workout collection;)
I would love a new workout top and shorts!!! Your workout clothes always look so cute!!
A new pair of sneakers!
new shoes!
I would buy some new sneakers for the gym!
I would totally use the card on a great pair of training shoes! Workout shoes are so expensive, I always just pick up whatever is on clearance at TJ Maxx. It’d be great to be able to choose something nice for myself!