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 $100 @Reebok gift card from @PBFingers: http://ow.ly/mwwIn !” Just remember to leave a separate comment on this post telling me that you tweeted, so I can make sure your entry counts!
I will randomly select a winner on Tuesday. Good luck!
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I desperately need new sports bras and cute tank tops for summer running!
Just sent you a tweet Julie 🙂
new running shoes!
I am in need of more workout clothes that are comfortable. The washing machine can barely keep up.
With the super hot and muggy weather we are getting in Boston, I’d love to get some new running tanks!
I would get the “who made the rules” shirt. And some new running gear! I love all that they have! 🙂
I could definitely use new running shorts. I have a few pairs of capri pants, but they just don’t cut it in the hot weather.
Bright colored running shoes!
Definitely more workout tops and shorts for the hot weather!
I could use some new kicks, but my daughter especially needs some for her first 5k so I’d probably use it on her.
https://twitter.com/aisforbeautiful/status/352140437567455232
new shoes!
I’d love some cute new workout tops! The Reebok stuff is so cute!
Always enjoy your posts. I’d definitely a new pair of shoes.
A new pair of running shoes would be a dream! I have literally ran a whole in my other ones :/
I would love to buy some new running tank tops so I can stay cool in the summer heat!
I would love to buy the Nano 2.0s for crossfit! They sound awesome!!
I also tweeted about the giveaway!
I need new workout tops. I’m 14 weeks pregnant and am noticing everything is becoming a little snug. Help I would love a 100$ gift card to help me find tops that fit.
I would live a pair of running capris!
https://twitter.com/ClaireLizChap/status/351760409159675904
I tweeted!!
I would love some new workout clothes!
Would love a new top or some running capris!
I would love some workout tops to take to school in the fall. I just recently started working out and am desperately in need of some new gear, but workout clothes and a college budget don’t exactly mix!
Hi Julie! I would be so thankful to have another pair of shorts from Reebok!!
Running sneakers!
It would be great to have some new tops 🙂 love your blog!
Great recap! I looove the Reebok apparel shown above. I’m a big fan of my Nanos, too–agree that they’re wonderful for functional training. Your explanation of the feet closer to the ground / stability make a lot of sense.
Thanks for hosting the giveaway! I’d definitely get some basic workout clothing. Can never have enough!
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/DareYouToBlog/status/352151180794806274
I am in desperate need of new cross training shoes. My running shoes just aren’t cutting it!
Definitely would get some cute summer workout clothes… they’re always a good motivator to get out and get movin’!
I’d love to buy some new running shoes! My current shoes are just about ready to retire. A new brightly colored workout top would be fun too!
SLEEVELESS running tops and more sports bras. The summers are soooo hoTT in Houston, TX! 🙂
I would definitely buy some new workout tops!
Well, my feet do need a new home, but I do love those tops!!
I would order new shoes… in need of ones that fit better for boot camp style workouts!
I’m in desperate need of new running shoes! I’d love to splurge on a pair of cross training shoes too since I’ve been doing more bootcamp style workouts lately!
I need some new loose fitting work out clothes to handle the new baby bump! Not ready for “maternity” yoga pants just yet 😉
I’d like to win the Reebok gift card simply because I do not own a single Reebok article of clothing and you always post the cutest stuff!!
I am in some serious need of CUTE workout clothing!! Here’s to hoping I win and can get some!!
I am all over the ‘Who Made the Rules’ tank!
I desperately need a new pair of running shoes!! My current ones are too old and affecting my knees but can afford new ones for know but also do not want to stop running when I´m finally back on track!
I would for sure get some new running shoes 🙂
Now that you’ve said the nanos/realflex provide more stability for movement with cross training workouts, I think I need to just need to get a pair. Running sneaks just don’t cut it!
Some cute pink running shoes!
I would buy a pair of crossfit shoes! And probably end up getting several other items that I don’t need… 🙂
I just moved from Beaumont, Texas to Seattle, WA in June so I feel like I need a completely new wardrobe for this climate! I love the weather here in Seattle (no humidity!!) but all my running gear is shorts/light tanks, so I need some cooler weather workout gear. Thanks!!
Shoes! I wore old ones at my last half marathon and was in some BIG pain! I need running shoes!
I would love the gift card so that I could get some new workout clothes!
I would love a really good pair of running shoes!! I’ve been building up my stamina running more on my treadmill and now it’s time to get outside and start running!