The Challenge Factory discussion

Choose your race:
Signing up for your race is the easy, exciting part of it all. The task for this section is to read one book for the race you choose. It should be a book that puts you in your happy place!

Relay teams must run the same marathon together. Each relay team member must read a book to complete this section. Neither team member can proceed with training until both members complete this section.

Choose from among the popular races listed here.

1. Big Sur International Marathon in Big Sur, California - read a book set in California, or that has a MC who comes from California, or with an author who has three letters from the words BIG SUR INTERNATIONAL in their name.
2. New York Marathon in New York, New York - read a book set in New York City, or that has a MC who comes from New York, or with an author who has three letters from the words NEW YORK CITY in their name.
3. Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois - read a book set in Chicago, or that has a MC who comes from Chicago, or with an author who has three letters from the words CHICAGO ILLINOIS in their name.
4. London Marathon in London, England - read a book set in London, or that has a MC who comes from London, or with an author who has three letters from the words LONDON ENGLAND in their name.
5. Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Turku, Finland - read a book set in Finland, or that has a MC who comes from Finland, or with an author who has three letters from the words PAAVO NURMI in their name.
6. Berlin Marathon - read a book set in Berlin, or that has a MC who comes from Berlin, or with an author who has three letters from the words BERLIN GERMANY in their name.
7. Tokyo Marathon - read a book set in Tokyo, or that has a MC who comes from Tokyo, or with an author who has three letters from the words TOKYO JAPAN in their name.
8. Paris Marathon - read a book set in Paris, or that has a MC who comes from Paris, or with an author who has three letters from the words PARIS FRANCE in their name.
9. Dublin Marathon - read a book set in Dublin, or that has a MC who comes from Dublin, or with an author who has three letters from the words DUBLIN IRELAND in their name.
10. Rome Marathon - read a book set in Rome, or that has a MC who comes from Rome, or with an author who has three letters from the words ROME ITALY in their name.
11. Athens Marathon - read a book set in Greece, or that has a MC who comes from Greece, or with an author who has three letters from the words ATHENS GREECE in their name.
12. Great Wall Marathon - read a book set in China, or that has a MC who comes from China, or with an author who has three letters from the words GREAT WALL in their name.
13. Marine Corps Marathon - read a book set during any war, or that has a MC who is a Marine, or with an author who has three letters from the words MARINE CORPS in their name.
14. Grandma's Marathon - read a book set in Minnesota, or that has a MC who is a grandma, or with an author who has three letters from the words DULUTH MINNESOTA in their name.

Hey Paula! 🪅 which ones interest u??

Hi ladies -
I had an error that is now corrected. I just changed the word "initials" to the word "letters" for finding three letters in the author's name contained in the name of the race you choose. Three initials is too hard and not what I had intended. Sorry for the mistake. I hope this helps!

Hi sorry my 6 year was sick yesterday with a 104 fever

This looks fun 1, 2, 3 looks easy. I am open to any of them what about you.

Paula wrote: "Hi sorry my 6 year was sick yesterday with a 104 fever"

Oh wow. I hope he's okay. I used to spike fevers like that as a kid.

Paula wrote: "Hi sorry my 6 year was sick yesterday with a 104 fever"

have you tried alternating tylenol and motrin every 4-6 hours??

either is fine, i feel like i can find something to fit whatever you pick-- what books are next on your radar that will work??

i can do NYC:


Chicago:


Big Sur:

Paula wrote: "This looks fun 1, 2, 3 looks easy. I am open to any of them what about you."


Race chosen/Training task:
2. New York Marathon in New York, New York - read a book set in New York City, or that has a MC who comes from New York, or with an author who has three letters from the words NEW YORK CITY in their name.
Book: The Free
Author: K Webster
Date Read: 3.8.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5🌟
How it fits: an author who has three letters from the words NEW YORK CITY in their name.
E, T & R in Webster are all in NEW YORK CITY

2. New York Marathon in New York, New York - read a book set in New York City, or that has a MC who comes from New York, or with an author who has three letters from the words NEW YORK CITY in their name.
Book: The Defense
Author: Steve Cavanagh
Pages: 320
Date read: Feb 21 Till Feb 24 2023
4 Stars
How it fits: Book takes place In New York City

3. Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois - read a book set in Chicago, or that has a MC who comes from Chicago, or with an author who has three letters from the words CHICAGO ILLINOIS in their name.
Book: The Red Book
Author: James Patterson
Pages: 481
Date read: Feb 16 till Feb 20
5 Stars
How it fits: The book is set in Chicago and the MC is a Chicago detective.

1. Big Sur International Marathon in Big Sur, California - read a book set in California, or that has a MC who comes from California, or with an author who has three letters from the words BIG SUR INTERNATIONAL in their name.
Book: Off the Deep End
Author: Lucinda Berry
Pages: 268
Date Read: Feb 10 till Feb 12
3 Stars
How it fits: Authors name has 3 letters from the words Chicago Illinois.

Okay, it appears you ladies are running the New York Marathon (sorry Paula - you can really only be in one marathon at once but I certainly appreciate your efforts!)



You're ready to gear up and start training! You must read one book for each kind of training run to complete this section. Relay teams may divide the tasks between them as they see fit.
After these 4 books are completed, roll a single die for your next prompt. Relay teams only roll once for the team.

https://www.random.org/dice/

Your four kinds of training runs are:
1. Regular runs. The base of your training where you just go out and rack up miles. You may read any book you like to complete your regular run.

2. Intervals. These are speed workouts. Either read a book in 24 hours -OR- read a mystery/thriller that gets your heart racing to complete this run.

3. Hill Repeats. These build leg strength. Read a book that pushes your boundaries - whether it's a different genre, longer than your usual, or demanding in some other way (your interpretation - tell us how).

4. Long Runs. These build endurance. Read a book that is at least 300 pages long to complete this run.

1. Regular runs. The base of your training where you just go out and rack up miles. You may read any book you like to complete your regular run.
Book: Killers of a Certain age.
Author: Deanna Raybourn
Date Read: 3.21.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5🌟
How it fits: read any book you like to complete your regular run.

2. Intervals. These are speed workouts. Either read a book in 24 hours -OR- read a mystery/thriller that gets your heart racing to complete this run.
Book: The Inmate
Author: Freida McFadden
Date read: March 19 '2023
5 Stars
How it fits read a book in 24 hours.

Erica wrote: "

Choose your race:
Signing up for your race is the easy, exciting part of it all. The task for this section is to read one book for the race you choose. It should be a book that puts you in your h..."



Race chosen/Training task:
1. Regular runs. The base of your training where you just go out and rack up miles. You may read any book you like to complete your regular run.
Book: Don't Tell Me No
Author: Honey Chanel
Date Read: 3.23.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5🌟
How it fits: read any book you like to complete your regular run.



Race chosen/Training task:
3. Hill Repeats. These build leg strength. Read a book that pushes your boundaries - whether it's a different genre, longer than your usual, or demanding in some other way (your interpretation - tell us how).
Book: Xzion
Author: Charmaine Ross
Date Read: 4.14.23
🌟/5🌟
How it fits: it's a sci fi romance and i am very picky with sci fi because i don't like them to be too sciency- this one definitely was which made it push my boundaries a bit.

Just one long run to go ladies!

Erica wrote: "Just one long run to go ladies!"


Race chosen/Training task:
4. Long Runs. These build endurance. Read a book that is at least 300 pages long to complete this run
Book: Praise
Author: Sara Cate
Date Read: 4.22.23
--/5🌟
How it fits: 341 PAGES

Great! Time to roll a single die: https://www.random.org/dice/

Erica wrote: "Great! Time to roll a single die: https://www.random.org/dice/"

we got a 1 :D

1 = Your favorite shoes are no longer made so you have to try new ones. Spell out NEW SHOES -or- read a book with the words New Shoes in the title. Relay teams must each read the optional book listed as an alternate if they opt not to do the spell out.

Erica wrote: "1 = Your favorite shoes are no longer made so you have to try new ones. Spell out NEW SHOES -or- read a book with the words New Shoes in the title. Relay teams must each read the optional book list..."

so for new shoes in the title- like the letters from the words or EXACTLY the words 'new shoes' in the title...

No, exactly the words New Shoes in the title. I checked - there are some!

Paula wrote: "2. Intervals. These are speed workouts. Either read a book in 24 hours -OR- read a mystery/thriller that gets your heart racing to complete this run.
Book: The Inmate
Author: Freida McFadden
Date r..."

ok, so here is a list:
https://www.goodreads.com/search?page...

which task do you want to do:

Your favorite shoes are no longer made so you have to try new ones. Spell out NEW SHOES
-or- read a book with the words New Shoes in the title. Relay teams must each read the optional book listed as an alternate if they opt not to do the spell out.

I'd almost rather do the spell out... you read for 4 letters, i read for 4 letters....

E The 7 She Saw
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: The 7 She Saw
Author: Elle Gray
Date Read: 4.30.2023
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: Authors last name starts with a E

O The Only One Left
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: The Only One Left
Author: Riley Sager
Date Read: July .17. 2023
🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: Book title starts with O

E The Edelweiss Sisters
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: The Eldelweiss Sisters
Author: Kate Hewitt
Date Read: 3.17.2023
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: Title starts with a E

S The Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampires
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: The Southern Book Clubs Guide to Slaying Vampires
Author: Grady Hendrix
Date: 8.31.2023
🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: The Title starts with a S

We're not done yet, I have 2 more books 🩷

PrinzessBookDragon wrote: "We're not done yet, I have 2 more books 🩷"
Oops sorry! I'll delete that prompt for now. I was trying to pair your books to the remaining letters but I guess I'm still pretty tired.

Erica wrote: "PrinzessBookDragon wrote: "We're not done yet, I have 2 more books 🩷"
Oops sorry! I'll delete that prompt for now. I was trying to pair your books to the remaining letters but I guess I'm still pr..."

Thanks! Get some rest girl!! ❤️📚🎶🧘🏾‍♀️

Erica wrote: "PrinzessBookDragon wrote: "We're not done yet, I have 2 more books 🩷"
Oops sorry! I'll delete that prompt for now. I was trying to pair your books to the remaining letters but I guess I'm still pr..."

N: The Exorcist's House
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: The Exorcist's House
Author: Nick Roberts
Date Read: 10.21.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: AFN starts with an N

E

W: The Whittiers
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: The Whittiers
Author: Danielle Steel
Date Read: 8.28.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: title starts with W

S: Dolly
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: Dolly
Author: Measha Stone
Date Read: 9.8.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: ALN starts with an S

H: Hard Labor
Race chosen/Training task: Spell out NEW SHOES
Book: Hard Labor
Author: Daya Daniels
Date Read: 12.28.23
🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: title starts w/ an H

O

E

S

Whoa there... sorry, I was having trouble following where you two were on the spell out. Sorry! Here's the next prompt:



Your training is going well and you are ready to run some tune-up races! You will run three different kinds of races. Relay teams may divide the tasks between them as they see fit.
After these 6 books are completed, roll a single die for your next prompt. Relay teams only roll once for the team.

https://www.random.org/dice/

1. 5K Race. A short and fairly speedy race. Read a book of 200 pages or less in a single day -OR- read a book of over 200 pages in two days to complete this race .

2. 10K Race. A bit more effort and taxes the body more. Read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.

3. Half marathon. The half marathon is a demanding event that is a good indicator of your overall training. Read three series books to complete this race. The books do not have to be from the same series.

1. 5K Race. A short and fairly speedy race. Read a book of 200 pages or less in a single day -OR- read a book of over 200 pages in two days to complete this race .


Race chosen/Training task: Read a book of 200 pages or less in a single day
Book: The Basilisk of Star Manor
Author: Kathryn Moon
Date Read: 8.19.23
🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: read in a day, 120 pgs 8.19.23

2. 10K Race. A bit more effort and taxes the body more. Read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.


Race chosen/Training task: Read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.
Book: The Business of Lovers
Author: Eric Jerome Dickey
Date Read: 7.30.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: 387 pgs


Race chosen/Training task: Read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.
Book: The Invitation
Author: Vi Keeland
Date Read: 8.8.23
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: 396 pgs

Race Chosen/training task: 3. Half marathon. The half marathon is a demanding event that is a good indicator of your overall training. Read three series books to complete this race. The books do not have to be from the same series.
Book: The 8th Confession
Author: James Patterson
Date read: 1-14-24/ 1-16-24
Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 369
How it fits: 8th book in women's murder club series

Race Chosen/training task: 3. Half marathon. The half marathon is a demanding event that is a good indicator of your overall training. Read three series books to complete this race. The books do not have to be from the same series.
Book: The 9th Judgment
Author: James Patterson
Date read: 1-19-24/ 1-20-24
Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 355
How it fits: 9th book in women's murder club series

Race Chosen/training task: 3. Half marathon. The half marathon is a demanding event that is a good indicator of your overall training. Read three series books to complete this race. The books do not have to be from the same series.
Book: 10th Anniversary
Author: James Patterson
Date read: 1-21-24/ 1-24-24
Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 394
How it fits: 10th book in women's murder club series

Unless I'm reading this incorrectly, it appears you ladies are ready for your next die roll:

https://www.random.org/dice/

Erica wrote: "Unless I'm reading this incorrectly, it appears you ladies are ready for your next die roll:

https://www.random.org/dice/"

we got a 🎲🎲6

Apologies for the very late prompt ladies!

6 = You drank too much coffee before your race so you have to stop at a Port-a-john during the event, and it doesn't have any toilet paper. Spell out TOILET PAPER -or- read a book with the words No Way in the title or series name (No and Way can be separated by other words as in No Other Way, No-Stress Way).

Paula wrote: "Race Chosen/training task: 3. Half marathon. The half marathon is a demanding event that is a good indicator of your overall training. Read three series books to complete this race. The books do no..."

which do you want to do Paula?? i'm good with the spell out...

The Spell out is good thank you

O: On Her Watch By Melinda Leigh
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: On Her Watch By Melinda Leigh
Date Read: 06.13.24 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: O in title

T:
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: The Clause in Christmas by Rachael Bloome
Date Read: 06.13.24 🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: T in title

I:
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: It by Stephen King
Date Read: 06.13.24 🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: I in title

A-
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: A Life without Regrets by Marci Bolden
Date Read: 06.13.24 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: A in title

E:
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Date Read: 06.13.24 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: E in authors first name.

T: Tempt Me ✨
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: Tempt Me by K A Tucker
Date Read: 10.26.23 🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: Title: T in Tempt

O
I

L: No Kissing: An Urban Thriller ✨
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: No Kissing: An Urban Thriller by Toni Larue
Date Read: 11.30.23 🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: ALN: L in Larue

E: Escorting the Billionaire ✨
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: Escorting the Billionaire by Leigh James
Date Read:12.30.23 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: Title: E in Escorting

T

P: The Anti-Boyfriend ✨
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: The Anti-Boyfriend by Penelope Ward
Date Read:12.28.23 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: AFN: P in Penelope

A

P: Provoking Saint Nick ✨
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: Provoking Saint Nick by Echo Grayce
Date Read: 2.27.24 🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: title: P in Provoking

E

R: The Family Trunk: Standalone ✨
Race chosen/Training task: spell out TOILET PAPER
Book/ Author: The Family Trunk by Shay Renee
Date Read: 10.23.23 🌟🌟🌟🌟 /5🌟
How it fits: ALN: R in Renee



✨: i covered these letters. ❤️🥨🎈

Awesome!!



You have done all of the hard work getting ready for your event. It's the night before the race - now you just need to set up for tomorrow and get out there and do it! To complete this section, read one book for each task. Relay teams may divide the tasks between them as they see fit.
After these 5 books are completed, roll a single die for your next prompt. Relay teams only roll once for the team.

https://www.random.org/dice/

1. Race expo - most marathons have a large expo where lots of running gear is sold - read a book where a character goes to or works at an expo.
2. Pasta dinner - read a book where the MC cooks or eats a lot of pasta.
3. Set your alarm - read a book that is alarming to you in some way (explain how).
4. Lay out your clothes - read a book where the MC is a real clothes hound.
5. Morning ritual (beverage, food, gear) - read a book where any character has a set ritual for something that they always do (explain what).

Erica wrote: "Awesome!!



You have done all of the hard work getting ready for your event. It's the night before the race - now you just need to set up for tomorrow and get out there and do it! To complete this..."

can i spell out EXPO for this one too please, Erica?

Did you ever look through this list?

https://www.goodreads.com/search?page...

There are an awful lot of books that have expos in them. The challenge is for your enjoyment so I won't insist, but it isn't that impossible to do...