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’m in dire need of new workout clothes!
New workout clothes in neon clothes!
I want the Nanos…I’ve been searching for a great cross training shoe!!
If I had an extra $100 to spend on Reebok gear–I would love to have more tank-tops and shorts for my summer running!
Would love some pretty new shoes!
I would love to buy a new pair of running shoes!
I really need some new workout clothes and shoes. I hope I win and I love your blog!
I would get some workout tanks! Thanks for the chance to win!
I would love some shoes for dance aerobics.
I’d definitely love to get a new workout top since mine are starting to get holes in them! 😛
I would love to buy some Nanos for cross-training! 🙂 They sound awesome!
I just tweeted about it from @fitsoulja–thanks Julie! <33
I would love to buy some Rebook Nano’s for cross training!
I just tweeted! @krissy_kp
New shoes!!
I tweeted @pwmurf
new work out clothes!
I’m turning 40 next week and I need new shoes!!! I tweeted, too!
I would get a new pair of sneakers (that I need desperately). I have a pair of the reebok flex and I would like to try out the one series!
I need new Crossfit Nanos! I love my old pair — but its definitely time for an upgrade 🙂
Some new workout clothes in the brightest colors possible!
I so need a new pair of workout shoes!!
I would totally get a pair of hot neon shoes to wear at the gym and put a spark in my workout!
I would love to have some of the Reebok CrossFit gear. I just started doing it and I’m already hooked! The only thing that could make it better would be some sweet new gear.
I need to get new shoes and I am digging all those funky colors!! Another pair of shorts wouldn’t hurt either 😉
I would get a new pair of shoes!!!!! Love all the bright colors!
I need a pair of Oly shoes for lifting! I love my Nanos but I’m not quite ready for a new pair yet.
I really need a new pair of shoes!
Desperately need new shoes for running… Would love to try Reebok’s. Loved what you had to report about the ones you tried at the conference.
Shoes ! My toes will be so happy!
I am in major need of some new shorts!
Oh my, I am in need of a new pair of kicks!
A new pair of neon shoes!
I would love a new pair of running shoes. I have been lazy and havent gotten new pair in a couple of years! So it would be nice to get some new ones!
I would love a new pair of running shoes. I have been lazy and havent gotten new pair in a couple of years!
I would love a new pair of running shoes!
Twitter entry!
Here is my tweet:
https://twitter.com/qtseyscreenname/status/352291005606789120
I would LOVE a new running top, or shoes – I am desperate, as havent gone shopping in years!!
I tweeted it too 😀
I really need a pair of shoes and the customize your own shoe is so awesomely cute 🙂 I so want in more than one color 🙂
tweet entry: https://twitter.com/cancer_free_me/status/352314004187791360
I am loving all of the new Reebok stuff I keep seeing in my favorite stores … I would buy new running shorts because I am in desperate need 🙂
I could use some new workout clothes!!
NANOS! I’ve been wanting to try them…convert me from being a Nike girl 🙂 And who can’t use another workout outfit!?
I would love to get some new workout clothes in bright neon colors!
Thanks for the giveaway! I would loooove a new pair of sneakers!
I’m running my first marathon in October and I need shoes!!!
I would love to buy some new shoes, I am currently on the hunt!
I desperately need new tops and capris. I love the colours you ladies are wearing and it would be a perfect fit for the summer workouts I have been doing. They look so comfy!!
Shorts! I have been living in capris and pants to work out and they are too too hotttttt