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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Sneakers and shorts! Must needs to this summer, where I live there aren’t any Reebok Stores so thank goodness for online shopping 🙂
I’m in need of some new shoes. A new tank top or two probably wouldn’t hurt either!
I love the long workout tanks, the who made the rules top, and their yoga tights look too comfortable to ever take off!
I would love some new workout shoes or that cute tank you are wearing in your Portland pictures!
Just had my baby and in need of new running shorts for when I can begin running again!
I Tweeted as well 🙂 @Farmskie
Definitely need some new running capris! Mine are a little “well-loved” 🙂
You always wear such cute clothes. Love the aqua dress and gold flat sandals your wore out to drinks and dinner. Can you please give a source for those? Love your blog!
I am a newly obsessed bootcamper and would love to buy a pair of shoes! Awesome giveaway Julie 🙂
A new pair of running shoes are at the top o’ my list! And the ONE Cushion Series shoes sound awesome.
I would love to try compression shorts or calf sleeves if they have either. Otherwise just spunky new workout attire to help motivate me!
I would love a new pair of workout shoes and I’m currently obsessed with the neon and purple look!
The fiance and I started P90x a few weeks ago to get fit for our wedding next year, but I’ve been wearing my old dirty running shoes. Some bright neon workout shoes would be an AWESOME motivator!!
Having lost 60+ lbs I am always looking for cute work=out clothes….
Ooo! I need new SHOES! Love the colors in their new line.
I am needing a new pare of workout/running shoes! I am currently training for my first half marathon & I think my shoes I have now have seen their last mile.
Tweeted you too: @JulesJyang
I could really use a new pair of shoes!
Tweeted as well! @_kayleeann_
I would love to buy a couple of shorts for running, I only own one pair, and they’re so comfy. I definitely need more 😉
I would love a new pair of shoes for my cross fit training!
I could no doubt use some shorts for running in this summer heat. Plus, I love the teal top you have on in the post!
I would get a new pair of shoes. The shoes I have now desperately need to be replaced!!
I tweeted too! https://twitter.com/sdotro/status/352058602665672705
I am in desperate need of running tank tops! I only have 1! With the weather getting hotter, t-shirts are not cutting it anymore!
New shoes! 🙂 My husband and I have begun training for a marathon this fall so it would be nice to have an extra pair of shoes for cross-training and weight training days 🙂
I have been on the hunt for the perfect pair of running shorts, so I would love to try some Reebok shorts!!!
If I won the Reebok giftcard, I would purchase some fitted shorts and sports bras. I have lost some weight doing the Best Body Bootcamp and need some new clothes!
I could use some new kicks to bring some excitement back to my workouts. Nothing like looking forward to a workout because I am going to wear something new 🙂 I am also loving the neon colors!
Great giveaway! I would love to use it towards some new shoes like those Nanos but I also would really like some new workout capris like the ones you have on. 🙂
I would definitely buy some shoes with the gift card! I LOVE my Reebok RealFlex crosstrainers! I’ve had them over a year now though, and I’d love to get some new ones.
I need new workout tops BAD! And I’m loving the cute Reebok tops from your pics.
I just started a new job and really need motivation to keep running even though I’m swamped. An awesome pair of shoes would definitely help. 🙂
Seasonably inappropriate but I need winter running gear!
I would definitely buy the Rebook ONE Cushion Running shoes! My current pair have about hit the wall, and the colors look so cute! I love sneakers, although it would be hard to pass up their workout apparel. It all looks so cute!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/babykarats/status/352060486499565568
Hi Julie!
If I won that gift card I’d buy some new running shorts and tops, because I’ve lost almost 40 pounds and my old ones don’t fit anymore. I’d like to feel cute in some new gear 🙂
I need some bright, fun Crossfit tanks to beat the summer heat here in Florida!
I am training for my very first 1/2 marathon in a few months, and am definitely in need of some new running shoes! I’d like to take the tips you gained in your sessions, and use them to help me find the right pair to wear while crossing my first 1/2 marathon finish line!
Wow! I love the newest colors of their shoes! I’ve only ever owned boring white with a splash of blue running shoes. Just think how fast I’d be with hot pink or neon yellow shoes!
I would use this card towards a pair of Nanos as I recently have been getting into Crossfit and have heard great things about them .
Shoes or the new shirt (Who Made the Rules?) 🙂
A new summer workout outfit would be great!!
I would love a new pair of sneakers!
Some workout tanks or a hoodie would be perfect!
I am in desperate need of some new workout shoes, maybe running shoes because I’m about to start training for my 1st half marathon! Then again, cute workout tops are always needed. 🙂
I am in desperate need of new running shoes! I have been laid up with back problems since running my first marathon in January and have slowly started training again so a new pair of shoes (maybe a new running outfit!) is just what I need!! 🙂
I tweeted for an extra entry 🙂
I tweeted! @healthyhappyamy
I could really use some new workout capris and it sounds like Reebok has just what I need!