The Challenge Factory discussion
TCF's Marathon Challenge
>
Viji's Solo Marathon Challenge
date
newest »
newest »
Beginning withNew York Marathon in New York, New York
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: RAB with an author who has three letters from the words NEW YORK CITY in their name.
Book:
Mischief and MistletoeAuthor: Stacy Reid
Date Read: 04/13/2023
How it fits: Author has three letters from the words NEW YORK CITY in her name
Mod
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.
Completion:Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York - Regular Runs
Training task: Read any book you like to complete your regular run
Book:
The Lass Who Lost a ShoeAuthor: Caroline Lee
Date Read: 05/03/2023
How it fits: Book read to complete regular run
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York - Intervals
Training task: Read a book in 24 hours
Book:
Falling for YouAuthor: Jo Noelle
Date Read: 04/24/2023
How it fits: Book read in 24 hours
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York - Hill Repeats
Training task: Read a book that pushes your boundaries
Book:
City of BonesAuthor: Cassandra Clare
Date Read: 05/01/2023
How it fits: Book with page count longer than my usual (720 pgs.)
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York -
Training task: Long Runs
Book:
Twenty CentavosAuthor: John Scherber
Date Read: Read a book that is at least 300 pages long
How it fits: Page Count - 346
Mod
Completion:N - Now and Always - 05/25/2023
E - Englishwoman in Paris; 05/28/2023
W - A Whimsical Notion; 05/21/2023
S - Sam Short; A Meeting of Minds; 05/17/2023
H - A Harvest Heart; 05/18/2023
O - One Week With Her Husband; 05/31/2023
E - Elizabeth Ashton; The Questing Heart; 06/03/2023
S - Sophie Briggs and the Spike of Death; 05/24/2023
Mod
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.
Completion:Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 1. 5K Race
Book:
The Minoan MaskAuthor: K.T. Tomb
Date Read: 06/15/2023
How it fits: Started and completed on 15th June, 2023
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 2. 10K Race
Book:
Curiouser and Curiouser: Steampunk Alice in WonderlandAuthor: Melanie Karsak
Date Read: 06/15/2023
How it fits: 230 pgs.
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 2. 10K Race
Book:
Along for the RideAuthor: Sarah Dessen
Date Read: 06/20/2023
How it fits: 424 pgs.
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Half marathon
Book:
Magic of the GargoylesAuthor: Rebecca Chastain
Date Read: 06/23/2023
How it fits: GARGOYLE GUARDIAN CHRONICLES - #1 in the series
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Half marathon
Book:
Lost WarriorsAuthor: Rachel Lee
Date Read: 06/25/2023
How it fits: CONARD COUNTY #5
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Half marathon
Book:
The Haunted PendantAuthor: Tegan Maher
Date Read: 06/29/2023
How it fits: PARANORMAL ARTIFACTS #1
Completed Tune up races - all the 6 books.DIE ROLL FOR NEXT PROMPT - 4
Mod
Completion:Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Made a wrong turn on a race course - read a book with the words Wrong Turn or Wrong Way in the title or series name
Book:
Wrong TurnAuthor: Mary Mantle
Date Read: 07/13/2023
How it fits: 'Wrong Turn' in the title
Mod
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:Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Race Expo - Read a book where a character goes to or works at an expo
Book:
The Hidden Secrets of Bumblebee CottageAuthor: Christie Barlow
Date Read: 10/31/2023
How it fits: Jinny Birdwhistle goes to the Heartcross Summer Fair and puts up her and also enters a competition
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Pasta dinner - read a book where the MC cooks or eats a lot of pasta
Book:
One Dark and Stormy KnightAuthor: Hermione Moon
Date Read: 07/21/2023
How it fits: Gwen Young, MC, cooks pasta for her dinner
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Set your alarm - read a book that is alarming to you in some way
Book:
The GiverAuthor: Lois Lowry
Date Read: 10/24/2023
How it fits: The utopian, futuristic world of Sameness with climate control and without memories is alarming
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Lay out your clothes - read a book where the MC is a real clothes hound
Book:
Murder at Hartigan HouseAuthor: Lee Strauss
Date Read: 11/16/2023
How it fits: Lady Ginger gold is a a real clothes hound
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Morning ritual (beverage, food, gear) - read a book where any character has a set ritual for something that they always do (explain what)
Book:
Emerald LoveAuthor: Elizabeth Chater
Date Read: 10/26/2023
How it fits: During the long journey from England to India by ship, Flora Baird always was ready by 8 o’clock every morning and checked on Mrs. Dooley to assess her needs for the day.
Mod
4 = You can't get your shoes tied comfortably - they either feel too tight or too loose, so you keep obsessively retying them. Spell out SHOELACES -or- read a book where shoelaces are mentioned.
Completion:Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: Spell out SHOELACES -or- read a book where shoelaces are mentioned.
Book:
The Villa MimosaAuthor: Rosemary Whittaker
Date Read: 01/11/2024
How it fits: Ch.32; pg.283 -
I finish tying his shoelace and inspect him.
Mod
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!
Completion:Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 1. Early miles - Read a book where one or more characters are very excited and happy about an event. Say what the event is
Book:
Rocky Mountain MiracleAuthor: Christine Feehan
Date Read: 01/13/2024
How it fits: Cole and Jase Steele are very excited and happy about celebrating their first Christmas at home (which was forbidden to them by their sadistic and cruel father, Brett Steele) with Maia Armstrong
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 2. Mid miles - Read a book where a character gets into a situation that becomes progressively more difficult as time wears on. Say what the situation is.
Book:
Ninth HouseAuthor: Leigh Bardugo
Date Read: 01/23/2024
How it fits: Alex Stern, Yale freshman as Dante for Lethe, monitoring the activities of Yale's secret societies, gets into situations that becomes progressively more difficult as time wears on which makes her fear for her life
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 3. 20 miles - Read a book where a character has serious self doubt about a course of action they have set out on. Say what it is.
Book:
A House for KeepingAuthor: Matteson Wynn
Date Read: 01/17/2024
How it fits: Finn Foster has serious doubt about accepting the role of the Housekeeper for the magical Foster family house when she actually wants to take a degree in Oceanography
Race chosen: New York Marathon in New York, New York
Training task: 4. Race finish - Read a book where a character completes some monumental effort and is now wiped out but also happy.
Book:
Shakespeare on the RoofAuthor: Anthony E. Thorogood
Date Read: 01/27/2024
How it fits: Jack Hamma, an SAS assassin, puts monumental efforts to track and eliminate Singen Saracen-Sopde, Commander of Black Shirts, a terrorist organisation after being court matialled by the Army and nearly losing his life and finally is happy settling down as a private detective at Adelaide, a smallish city in southern Australia.
Mod
Completion:R - The Throne of Fire; Rick Riordan; 02/09/2024
O - An Ocean of Love; Barbara Cartland; 04/23/2024
C - The Valley of the Kings; Cecelia Holland; 02/22/2024
K - Kleopatra: The Early Years; Karen Essex; 03/06/2024
N - Lucky in Love; Jo Noelle; 06/09/2024
R - Revved Up; Willa Brooks; 03/22/2024
O - One Bride Required!; Emma Richmond; 07/22/2024
L - The Awakening of the Lost Baroness; Hazel Linwood; 02/25/2024
L - Lucas's Lady; Caroline Lee; 03/15/2024
Mod
Could I start 4. London Marathon in London, England as my next choice? Thanks.
Mod
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.
Completion:Race chosen: London Marathon in London, England
Task: 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.
Book:
Meet the Sun HalfwayAuthor: Jane Arbor
Date Read: 07/27/2024
How it fits: Author has O,N,A and E from LONDON ENGLAND in her name
Mod
Mod
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.
Erica wrote: "Sorry Viji! We were out of town for my husband's surprise 70th birthday. I think I even saw that you had finished your book - but didn't have my tablet handy and then completely forgot in all the c..."Hope you had a great time with the surprise party. Belated birthday greetings to your husband and you.
Mod
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Meet the Sun Halfway (other topics)Lucky in Love (other topics)
The Valley of the Kings (other topics)
The Throne of Fire (other topics)
Kleopatra: The Early Years (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Arbor (other topics)Jo Noelle (other topics)
Cecelia Holland (other topics)
Karen Essex (other topics)
Rick Riordan (other topics)
More...
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.