Sometime last year, I mentioned to my great friend and unofficial blogging mentor, Stephanie Suire, that I thought I was ready to take my blog to the next level. I’ve been very happy with my little space in the internet world, but I felt like I could be doing more to grow my readership and spread the word about how fitness (and for me, running) can improve your quality of life!
She didn’t even hesitate and said:
“you MUST go to FITBLOGGIN’.“
I trust Stephanie implicitly (we’ve shed some tears, drank some wine, prayed some prayers, and run some races together:) and I knew she wouldn’t steer me wrong.
I am SO GLAD I went! I got back Sunday from 3.5 days of learning, making new friends, having some wine (just a little;), exploring an amazing city (Denver is AWESOME) and CRAZY INSPIRATION!!
I can really break the weekend down into three parts: The Learning, The Workouts, and The FRIENDSHIPS!
The Learning
I will tell you it was a tad like drinking from a fire hose and I took great notes (and summaries of all the talks are on the FitBloggin website) so I will be going back and picking up what I missed. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with to do’s (especially since we are all in a different place in our journey) but I have some concrete things I’m going to do right away.
The most helpful of all was the amazing break out with Katy Widrick. This girl is a blogging genius and I know I will going to back to her again and again as my influence (hopefully) grows. I love knowing an expert! I also got to hear from a Run Chat friend, Ty, of Seeking Boston Marathon, all about social media – it was such a great conversation!
I also got to hear from amazing bloggers that I’ve admired forever like Carla Birnberg and Nellie, otherwise known as Brooklyn Active Mama. (oh, but wait, the friends section is last, sorry).
We also were able to experience great things with vendors like the lunch with the people from the California Avocado Commission (I’ll talk more about that in a separate post!).
The Workouts
Um, OK, I’m not sure Stephanie was clear that I would be working out 2 – 3 hours A DAY while there. I realize the sessions weren’t mandatory, but they were all so fun that I didn’t even feel like I was working that hard! Until the next day when I could barely move . . . 😉
Erin Kreitz Shirey ran an incredibly fun bootcamp and we used these resistance cables from Harbinger! I have my set here at home and have already used them twice. In fact, Erin sent me home with 2 sets to giveaway to a lucky reader!! (scroll down to the end to learn how). 
And then there was ZUMBA!! This was my very first every Zumba class and I’m not sure how I missed this greatness. I had a TOTAL BLAST and was a completely sweaty disaster after. But it helped burn off all the good food and the wine.
There was also yoga, and Posture Fit, and an amazing run Sunday morning with Jamie from Run Westin. By the way, Run Westin is such a great program and they do it at Westin’s all over the country (and no, you don’t have to be staying there to participate so check your local one!). The run was also where I tried Periscope for the first time and it was so fun to run with 180 other people watching, commenting and encouraging us along the way!
The Friendships
This one will be hard for me to get through without getting emotional, but I met some amazing women that I know will now be permanently part of my tribe.
June, Nellie, Jill, Carrie, Lorraine, . . . you are ROCK STARS and I feel blessed to now call you my friends! (and yes, there may have been one point when Nellie and I got a little hopelessly lost in Downtown Denver and had to go into a bar and get directions. Because SOMEBODY had to have a new belt – hint, it wasn’t me;).
Most of these FitBloggin crazies have known each other for years, but if you’re thinking of going, don’t let being the new person worry you. It took literally 15 minutes for me to feel completely at home and accepted.
So thank you, Stephanie, for pointing me in the right direction. I feel smarter, fitter, and more connected because I went. And that’s a lot to get out of 3 days of my life. Grateful for the experience and already waiting for them to announce next year’s dates! Hope to see you there. Oh, and to win those amazing Resistance Cables from Harbinger and Erin Kreitz Shirey, here you go! Good luck!
Everyone has such unique but wonderful experiences from FitBloggin! I am kicking myself for not going. Next year, next year I won’t miss it!
YAY! I’m so glad! I have no idea when it will be or if it will work with my schedule (or if I can afford it!) but I’m hoping and wishing to be there as well!
I’d get lost with you on purpose everyday!! What a great recap. 🙂 so glad I was your first introduction to zumba!! If you go to a blogging conference fitbloggin should be your first. Just dont get spoiled because there is nothing like it out there!! I am going to stay connected to your social media hip all year until we can laugh again at the next fitbloggin. I’m just happy you didn’t TELL THE WORLD about my chilli experience. 🙂 xo
Yes, I decided your first chili experience was your story to share;). And now I just have to find a local Zumba class because I LOOOOVED it. I was born for it. CLearly. ha!
I’m SO glad you came — and not just because you said such kind things about me! Stephanie is awesome, right?
She SO IS. Yes, I was hoping you would see this and be proud that I’m already using some of the tools you gave us (yes, Canva is AMAZINGVILLE). Thanks for sharing of your time and talent, Katy!!
FitBloggin’ was my very first blogging conference back in 2011. It’s the BEST for a first time conference goer, IMO. I’ll second what Nellie said though, it might spoil you for other conferences because it sets such a high standard. I’m sorry I wasn’t there this year to get to meet you, but hope we can connect at a future FitBloggin’. Great recap!
thanks, Melissa!! I would LOVE it if we could connect next year! I’m excited to see the big announcement of when and where! Thanks for reading, seriously. Much appreciated!
Everything looks so great! I wish I could’ve been there. Hoping to make it next year 🙂
I so hope you can!! Stalking the site to see when they release the dates and location!
It was so great to meet you! Fitbloggin’ is so unique and inclusive.
That’s a great way to put it! Loved meeting you, too, Coco, and thanks for joining in on my first Periscope! i think we were amazing;).
Aww Jen!! I feel the same way. I’m really happy we met. Thank you for the good times! I hope to see you soon in the DFW!!!
PS: I heard the story of you getting lost in Denver! 😉
Yes, it was a grand adventure! Hope we can either run a race or grab a meal together sometime soon!
Strength and Resistance training is important as I work to run more each week. This year I am completing a 1000 mile goal and will run in my first Half.
Ken, that’s AWESOME!! I have GOT to get better about doing my resistance training. I know it would make a huge difference! Starting with just 2 days a week and hoping to build from there. Good luck with you half training!
I look to improve my core with a well rounded training, resistance and strength training enhances this.