FitBloggin - The Recap
This past weekend I headed to Baltimore for my second blogging conference, Fitbloggin10. First of all I have to say that I still think of Baltimore as my home city. I grew up north of the city and have spent many days and evenings enjoying the harbor. It was so much fun to head there to stay. I couldn't get over the beautiful view of the Inner Harbor from my room.
I've had many people ask what FitBloggin is/was and basically it is the brainchild of Roni who was my biggest inspiration when I began my weight loss journey. She had this vision to create a conference to bring "those that blog about fitness, wellness, good food and a healthy lifestyle" together. She wanted to create "a place to connect, learn, grow and network." It didn't matter where you were on your journey, but it was neat to be surrounded by people who had the same goal, to be healthy!
You may have read my post the other day about how nervous I was, feeling very unfit for FitBloggin. After reading the comments I was encouraged and decided that feeling unfit was just where I needed to be before the conference. I turned my focus on leaving FitBloggin INSPIRED and boy did I do it.
I got in Friday night for the POM cocktails and to register for my 5K the next morning. While enjoying a POMtini that was awesome, I got to catch up with one of my bloggy buddies Ami and meet my roommate Jennifer too.
After a cocktail we headed out for sushi to get to know each other some more. The great thing was that by 9:30 we all agreed it was pj time {girls after my own heart{ and I loved being able to just relax in a quiet room and only getting myself ready for bed. After some computer time, it was early bedtime in preparation for the New Balance 5K at 6:30, YES 6:30, am.
First thing Saturday morning I headed outside for a 5K to kick off the conference day. New Balance sponsored the run and provided participants with brand new running shoes, running shorts, and socks. I know. How cool is New Balance?! {I confess I didn't wear the shoes for the run since they weren't broken in, but I wore them all Sunday and I'll be telling you all about them in another post} It was a bit intimidating at the start line as the group took off. But I knew better than to fall into the trap of bursting out of the start line and then risk not being able to finish. The best thing was that I had a running buddy the whole time! Before the run, Marissa and I decided to slog together. The beautiful harbor views and sunrise kept us motivated.
Together we ran and together we finished.
I just may have to say that this was the highlight of the conference for me! I ran my second best time for a kilometer and just for the record the course was much closer to a 6K then a 5K!
After a quick shower, Jennifer and I headed down to breakfast. Quaker was a sponsor of the conference so breakfast was oatmeal with a whole bunch of mix-in options. I went with brown sugar and craisins and it was delicious. Starbucks was also available so here I am planning my day and twittering all about it after I enjoyed my oatmeal.
Some of the blog sessions I attended included the topics on SEO tips and tricks, Blogs and Body Image, Making Money from the Blog, and Pitching Traditional Media. While each session was informative and I brought home something to apply to my blog from each, I have to say meeting some of my favorite bloggers was the highlight of the conference.
I'm kicking myself now for not pulling out my camera and pulling a papparazzi stunt on Carla {MizFit}, Christie, Christy, and Jen to just name a few. But, I was not letting the moment pass to get this picture...
Esther {FaintStarLite} has been such an inspiration to me on my own weight loss. Like I told her, I honestly don't think I would have been as successful on my Weight Watchers journey if not for her and Roni. They are such inspirations and look I got one picture with both of them in it!!
I ended up coming home Saturday night because the hotel and my sinuses were not getting along. Plus after spending a warm, sunny, spring day inside I was itching to spend Sunday outside with the family.
But, I'm so happy that I was able to attend the FitBloggin Conference.
I am now inspired to keep onchuggin running down this healthy path and can't wait to share this new found excitement with all of you, my readers!!
I've had many people ask what FitBloggin is/was and basically it is the brainchild of Roni who was my biggest inspiration when I began my weight loss journey. She had this vision to create a conference to bring "those that blog about fitness, wellness, good food and a healthy lifestyle" together. She wanted to create "a place to connect, learn, grow and network." It didn't matter where you were on your journey, but it was neat to be surrounded by people who had the same goal, to be healthy!
You may have read my post the other day about how nervous I was, feeling very unfit for FitBloggin. After reading the comments I was encouraged and decided that feeling unfit was just where I needed to be before the conference. I turned my focus on leaving FitBloggin INSPIRED and boy did I do it.
I got in Friday night for the POM cocktails and to register for my 5K the next morning. While enjoying a POMtini that was awesome, I got to catch up with one of my bloggy buddies Ami and meet my roommate Jennifer too.
{Taken on Saturday when we headed outside on our
lunch break me, Jennifer, and Ami}
After a cocktail we headed out for sushi to get to know each other some more. The great thing was that by 9:30 we all agreed it was pj time {girls after my own heart{ and I loved being able to just relax in a quiet room and only getting myself ready for bed. After some computer time, it was early bedtime in preparation for the New Balance 5K at 6:30, YES 6:30, am.
First thing Saturday morning I headed outside for a 5K to kick off the conference day. New Balance sponsored the run and provided participants with brand new running shoes, running shorts, and socks. I know. How cool is New Balance?! {I confess I didn't wear the shoes for the run since they weren't broken in, but I wore them all Sunday and I'll be telling you all about them in another post} It was a bit intimidating at the start line as the group took off. But I knew better than to fall into the trap of bursting out of the start line and then risk not being able to finish. The best thing was that I had a running buddy the whole time! Before the run, Marissa and I decided to slog together. The beautiful harbor views and sunrise kept us motivated.
{Photo courtesy of Marissa}
{Photo courtesy of Marissa}
I just may have to say that this was the highlight of the conference for me! I ran my second best time for a kilometer and just for the record the course was much closer to a 6K then a 5K!
After a quick shower, Jennifer and I headed down to breakfast. Quaker was a sponsor of the conference so breakfast was oatmeal with a whole bunch of mix-in options. I went with brown sugar and craisins and it was delicious. Starbucks was also available so here I am planning my day and twittering all about it after I enjoyed my oatmeal.
Some of the blog sessions I attended included the topics on SEO tips and tricks, Blogs and Body Image, Making Money from the Blog, and Pitching Traditional Media. While each session was informative and I brought home something to apply to my blog from each, I have to say meeting some of my favorite bloggers was the highlight of the conference.
I'm kicking myself now for not pulling out my camera and pulling a papparazzi stunt on Carla {MizFit}, Christie, Christy, and Jen to just name a few. But, I was not letting the moment pass to get this picture...
Esther {FaintStarLite} has been such an inspiration to me on my own weight loss. Like I told her, I honestly don't think I would have been as successful on my Weight Watchers journey if not for her and Roni. They are such inspirations and look I got one picture with both of them in it!!
I ended up coming home Saturday night because the hotel and my sinuses were not getting along. Plus after spending a warm, sunny, spring day inside I was itching to spend Sunday outside with the family.
But, I'm so happy that I was able to attend the FitBloggin Conference.
I am now inspired to keep on
