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’d get nanos of course!
I’m in desperate need of new running shoes! I just signed up to run my 1st 1/2 marathon in mid-November and this would be SO helpful in purchasing my new shoes!
I absolutely love your blog! So grateful I found it a few years ago (from Pinterest, i think)…I look forward to the daily email. 🙂 I would go NUTS with a Reebok giftcard. I am in love with the entire Crossfit line! I am just starting the Crossfit lifestyle so I would be more than happy to outfit myself with some Nano’s, a cute top, and some sweet leggings…like your PWR ones! What a motivation it would be to have a new outfit in the box!
I would love a new pair of running shoes!!!!
I love the One Cushion shoes you are wearing above! I can’t get enough of the bright colors…I love mix matching them to different workout outfits, so fun ; )
I LOVE the shoes you picked! I need a new pair of running shoes and think these would be awesome to have.
I would definitely get a new pair of running shoes! I donated my last pair (and really good pair) after the dirty girl mood run last Month. The donation pile at the finish line was amazing and some people I’m sure got some nice shoes after they were cleaned up lol
Definitely new cross training shoes!
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/laurel_runs/status/351903629738917888
I’d love to have those shoes for running and wearing to the gym!!
I’d love a new pair of sneakers for walking!
I would get shoes!
Some new cross training shoes would be great. I just started the Insanity workout program, and right after that is done I will start training for another half marathon which takes place the first weekend of November. Needless to say, I will be going through workout/running shoes pretty quickly!!
I need some new sports bras and a new pair of runners!
I need new workout shoes bad!
I love all the motivational logos on the running tops. I like the extra long fit..looks super cute and comfortable!
I love colorful sneakers!!
I would buy new shoes!
I would love to buy some new running shoes or more running leggings! Thanks for this giveaway!
Love some new kicks
I would love to try out the Nanos. I take a muscle fusion class that has a lot of jumping & big movements like burpees & jump lunges. The shoes I have now are worn out so my feet cramp the whole time. These shoes look like they would be great for my class!
I need a new pair of rocking shoes!
Hi Julie – So great to see you again this year! LOVE that you guys had dinner at Farm… we ate there the same night! So delicious!
As for the gift card, I LOVED the Reebok yoga tank, so I’d probably buy more cozy tops like that!
xoxo
I’m in desperate need of new running shoes. I finally enjoy running but I lost my running shoes recently on a trip and currently doing my research for new ones.
I need some cute workout clothes! My sweatshirt is just not attracting my hubby anymore! 😉
I would definitely buy some compression shorts and tank tops. this weather is getting really hot really fast and most of my workout clothes have sleeves.. bleh!
I have never worn anything from Reebok. I think I would like to try out their shorts since it is summer and I am trying to run through the heat.
I would definitely get a long workout top. I have a hard time finding good workout tops that are long enough.
I need a new sports bra and some shorts.
I tweeted @amandawk
I am in serious need of a cute new workout top and shorts!! I love the color of the tank you have on!
I want a new workout outfit. I am trying to get into shape. My boyfriend is currently deployed so I am trying to get to a healthier me. More for myself than anybody. I am officially 15 lbs down, and I still need another 15 to get to my goal. And with a new outfit, it would in a way reward myself. 🙂
I have been totally loving the look of all the cute-stylish-functional clothing and shoes from Reebok lately and would love to try some… Or all:) I am in desperate need of some new fav gear!!
I would definitely buy some yoga pants!
sneakers for sure! I just poked a hole in current pair!
I would love to get the neon shoes you’re wearing… maybe transfer some of your energy
to me and make me workout harder! Reading your daily blogs energize me with all your activities, training clients and still have the energy to do your daily workouts!
I am obsessing over the dance bra so that would definitely be my first purchase!
I am in desparate need of cute work-out tops!!!!
Ahhhh!!!! I totally need some new workout gear!
I’ve been needing new capris for running… somehow my favorites disappeared recently!
I would get a new training jacket or perhaps a Love Fitness t-shirt. New exercise gear always gets me up and moving around!!!
new shoes new shoes new shoes!
I definitely need new workout tops, I continue to buy shorts and capris but for some reason always skip out on the tops!
New running shorts are on the top of my wishlist
I am in the need if new shoes! I am starting to get in to Cross Fit and need a pair that will compliment the actions!
Cute workout gear!
I would get a cute tank top and shorts! I need new summer workout gear
In desperate need of some great (& great looking) workout tops!
The options are endless! Maybe some shorts, socks and tee-shirts.
I love Reebok’s Nano Speed Training Short! It is the perfect length and doesn’t ride up or anything, even during long workouts!