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.

This sounds fun! We have to race to the same place so my top choices would be:

California
New York
China

Do you have any books that might fit one of those locations' tasks?

I’m excited to join this awesome project.
Vicky

We decided on China so hopefully, we'll each finish our books soon :)

Race: Great Wall Marathon
Book: The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
Date Read: 3/3/23
How it fits: The main characters are Chinese.

Race: Great Wall Marathon
Book: Shanghai Girls
Author: Lisa See
Date Read: 3-3-2023
How It Fits: The MCs come from China.

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.

I'll take 2 & 4 :)

And I'll do task number 1 and 3. I already have the books chosen that I will read to meet these requirements. I love to read!!

One task done so far!

Completion Post

2 - Intervals
Task: read a book in 24 hours
Book: Special Delivery by Danielle Steel
Date Read: 3/6/23
How It Fits: I read the book in less than 24 hours.

I'm still plugging away at my challenge books. I'm enjoying Studs Terkel.

I finished the biography of Studs Terkel. Disappointing because it did reveal a whole lot about his private life. Halfway through the other portion of the challenge, reading a book that is pushing my boundaries - romance! Oy!

I completed my two tasks!

1. Regular runs.
Task: read any book you like
Book: United States Authors Series: Studs Terkel by James Thomas Baker
Date Read: 3-10-23
How It Fits: Fits requirements of the challenge

3. Hill Repeats.
Task: Read a book that pushes your boundaries
Book: Last One Home by Debbie Macomber
Date Read: 3-11-23
How It Fits: It was romance, definitely a different genre for me

And I'm done!!

Completion Post

4. Long Runs.
Task: Read a book that is at least 300 pages long
Book: Malibu Summer by Jane Claypool Miner
Date Read: 3/17/23
How It Fits: 358 pgs.

I rolled the dice for our next task. We got a two :)

2 = It's absolutely awful weather out for your first really long training run, so you decide to do it on the treadmill instead. Spell out TREADMILL -or- read a book about a rodent or with any "rodent" word in the title - think hamster, gerbil, rat, mouse, etc.
Relay teams must each read the optional book listed as an alternate if they opt not to do the spell out.

My teammate and I have decided to read books about rodents. I'm reading about Templeton the rat in . My teammate is reading .

Vicky wrote: "My teammate and I have decided to read books about rodents. I'm reading about Templeton the rat in . My teammate is reading [bookcover:The Mouse and the Motorcycle|..."

Fantastic picks!

Completion Post

Task: Read a book about a rodent
Book: Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
Date Read: 4/7/23
How It Fits: There is a talking rat named Templeton in the book.

I finished Charlotte's Web a few days ago. I liked it. I'm currently reading a non-fiction book in which the author says she read the book again and it made her teary-eyed. My daughter said she got tearful upon her first read of it. I can't remember if I cried the first time I read it or not. But, I didn't not this time. Fern and Charlotte were favorites of mine. Wilbur - a bit whiny.

I Finally finished my task lol

Completion Post

Task: read a book with any "rodent" word in the title
Book: The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Date Read: 4-20-2023
How It Fits: The Mouse and the Motorcycle (rodent word title)

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.

I will be working on tasks 1 and 2, while my partner in crime will tackle task number 3. For number one I'm choosing Pinnocio the adult's version by Collodi. For task number two I am reading a thriller by Preston and Child, favorite authors of mine, and then . I can't believe it has taken me this long to pick it up to read. Never seemed interested before, but it called my name so I bought it.

I am working on my tasks slowly but surely :)

Completion Post

Half Marathon - series book 1/3
Book: 1st to Die by James Patterson
Date Read: 4-27-23
How It Fits: Women's Murder Club series book #1

Half Marathon - series book 2/3
Book: The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene
Date Read: 4-29-23
How It Fits: Nancy Drew series book #6

Half Marathon - series book 3/3
Book: The Skeleton Key by E.L. Flood
Date Read: 4-30-23
How It Fits: Welcome Inn series book #3

I finished the second task in this part of the relay by reading 2 fantastic Preston and Child Agent Pendergast novels. I recommend these great reads to everyone who likes a thriller. Now I will be starting task #1 by reading Pinocchio.

My tasks are complete. :) (See post 25)

All good! So when you're done with Pinocchio you can roll a single die for your next prompt. Relay teams only roll once for the team.

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

Completion Posts

5k Race
Task: read a book of over 200 pages in two days to complete this race
Book: The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Date Read: 5/2/2023
How It Fits: 224 pgs. read in 2 days time

10K Race
Read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.

Book # 1: Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston
Date Read: 5/1/2023
How It Fits: 339 pgs.

Book # 2: Old Bones by Douglas Preston
Date Read: 4/28/23
How It Fits: 369 pgs.

I rolled the dice. We got a 1. :)

1 = You pull a ham string in one of your tune-up races. Spell out HAMSTRING -or- read a book where a character goes to physical therapy or is a therapist of some kind.

Completion Post

Task: read a book where a character goes to physical therapy or is a therapist of some kind.
Book: The Therapist
Author: B.A. Paris
Date Read: 5-15-23
How It Fits: Alice was seeing a therapist.

Finished!!

Completion Post

Task: Task: read a book where a character goes to physical therapy or is a therapist of some kind.
Book/Author: The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks
Date Read: 5/19/2023
How it Fits: Avery is working as an unlicensed clinical therapist.

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).

Completion Post

2. Pasta dinner
Task: read a book where the MC cooks or eats a lot of pasta
Book: Pasta Mortem by Ellery Adams
Date Read: 5/29/23
How It Fits: The MC James eats a spaghetti meal with the Supper Club.

Completion Post

5. Morning ritual (beverage, food, gear)
Task: read a book where any character has a set ritual for something that they always do (explain what)
Book: Deeper Than the Dead by Tami Hoag
Date Read: 6-6-23
How It Fits: The serial killer marks the bodies of his victims in the same ritualistic manner.

I just realized I never posted about the 2 other books I read for. Whoops!

Completion Posts

1. Race expo
Task: read a book where a character goes to or works at an expo
Book: Murder at the Pet Expo by Cindy Bell
Date Read: 6/7/23
How It Fits: The characters visit a pet expo.


3. Set your alarm
Task: read a book that is alarming to you in some way (explain how)
Book: Thura's Diary: My Life in Wartime Iraq by Thura al-Windawi
Date Read: 5/28/23
How It Fits: War, as seen through a young child's eyes, is especially alarming to me.

I finally finished! Sorry it took so long!

Completion Post

4. Lay out your clothes
Task: read a book where the MC is a real clothes hound.
Book: The Fashion Orphans by Randy Susan Meyers
Date Read: 8/3/23
How It Fits: The MCs Gabrielle & Lulu were clothes hounds who ran a vintage high-end Chanel clothing store.



*The dice was rolled. We got a number 1.

1 = The restaurant where you planned to get your prerace pasta dinner was booked so you had to settle for a fast food burger. Spell out SPAGHETTI -or- read a book with a character who is a restaurant chef (say who).

Working on a cozy by an author I haven't read before. One of the main characters is a Type A, perfectionist chef opening her new restaurant in the Florida Keys.

That's perfect Vicky!

I finished the book for this section of the relay. It was entitled "Death with All the Trimmings" by Ludy Burdette. This book did not tickle my fancy. I only gave it 2 stars. At least I got to try an author I never read before.

Task: read a book with a character who is a restaurant chef (say who)
Book: Death with All the Trimmings by Lucy Burdette
Date Read: 8-18-23
How It Fits: Edel Waugh is a chef at a new fancy restaurant.

So far so good. One book from D.L. and you'll be on to the race!

Sorry it took so long but I *finally* finished my task lol

Task: read a book with a character who is a restaurant chef (say who)
Book: Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods
Date Read: 12/18/23
How It Fits: Dana Sue is a chef at Sullivan's.

Fantastic!!!


Today is the big day!! You have worked long and hard for this. To complete this section, read one book for each task. 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/

1. Early miles: Smiling - at the beginning of a marathon everyone is generally very excited and happy because today is the BIG DAY. Read a book where one or more characters are very excited and happy about an event. Say what the event is.
2. Mid miles: This is getting hard - as the race miles build up, most runners start to experience some fatigue. The body definitely sends signals that it is working much harder. Read a book where a character gets into a situation that becomes progressively more difficult as time wears on. Say what the situation is.
3. 20 miles: Why did I sign up for this??? There is often a point in a marathon where runners begin to doubt themselves and have serious second thoughts about what in the world they are doing out there. Read a book where a character has serious self doubt about a course of action they have set out on. Say what it is.
4. Race finish: Exhultation, hunger and exhaustion. You have DONE IT! At the end of a marathon you are depleted of all energy stores but also ecstatic because of your accomplishment. Read a book where a character completes some monumental effort and is now wiped out but also happy. Say what it is. NOTE: There is one more die roll following this step.

5. (optional - after your die roll is complete...) Sign up for another race! Lots of runners feel a let down after the intense cycle of training for and running a marathon. One common result is that many will start looking for their next race challenge shortly after their marathon finish. If you are among this infected group, simply go back to Section I and start again!

The tasks are:

1: Read a book where one or more characters are very excited and happy about an event. Say what the event is.

2: Read a book where a character gets into a situation that becomes progressively more difficult as time wears on. Say what the situation is.

3: Read a book where a character has serious self doubt about a course of action they have set out on. Say what it is.

4: Read a book where a character completes some monumental effort and is now wiped out but also happy. Say what it is

Task #3 complete!
Book Read: Agatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam by M.C. Beaton
Date Read: 12/20/23
How It Fits: Agatha starts to seriously doubt she can solve the mystery and considers just packing it in and going back to where she came from.

Completed Task 4 for us.

Book: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Date Read: 1/11/24
How it Fits: (view spoiler)[The MC completed his monumental journey and was tired but happy with his success in saving the planet. (hide spoiler)]

Task #1 is complete now!
Book Read: Six Feet Deep Dish by Mindy Quigley
Date read: 1/17/24
How It Fits: The MC and her employees are very excited about the soft opening of her new pizza restaurant.