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.

Race chosen/Training task: Marine Corps Marathon (13)- 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.


Book:De koperen koning
Author:S.A. Chakraborty
Date Read:20 Jan 2024
How it fits: A, C and R are letters in Marine Corps and in the author's name

So sorry I missed this the other day, Gillis. Here you go!



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.

Marine Corps Marathon
✔Training task: 1. Regular runs
Task: Read any book you like
Book: Een vrouwelijke Odysseus, N'zid
Author: Malika Mokeddem
Date Read: 7 Feb 2024
How it fits: It's a book

✔Training task: 2. Intervals
Task: read a mystery/thriller
Book: De duistere kant
Author: Stephen King
Date Read: 27 Jan 2024
How it fits: HPG = both Mystery and Thriller

✔Training task: 3. Hill Repeats.
Task: Read a book that pushes your boundaries
Book: Habibi
Author: Craig Thompson
Date Read: 28 Jan 2024
How it fits: I normally don't read graphic novels, certainly not long ones like this one.

✔Training task: 4. Long Runs.
Task: Read a book that is at least 300 pages
Book: Het gouden rijk (Daevabad Book 3)
Author: S.A. Chakraborty
Date Read: 02 Feb 2024
How it fits: counts 731 pages (which is obviously more than 300 pages)

Training tasks completed...
I rolled 2

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.

I don't immediately have a 'rodent'-book in mind so I'll start with the spellout and if a 'rodent'-book turns up I might change tactics...

T
R
E
A. Aline Sax - De kleuren van het getto - 8 Feb 2024
D
M
I
L
L

What about Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH? It's a kids book and just fabulous. A quick read.

Thanks for the tip! However, this doesn't seem to be available in my local library. :-(

Marine Corps Marathon

Found and read the perfect book: Mirakelse Maurits en zijn gestudeerde knaagdieren (in English: The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents) from Terry Pratchett

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.

Marine Corps Marathon
✔1. 5K Race
Task: 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 .
Book: Rond de Noordzee
Author: Arnout Hauben
Date Read: 19 March 2024
How it fits: The book counts more than 200 pages ( 272p) and was read within two days time.

✔2. 10K Race
Task: Read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.
Book: IJzerkop
Author: Jean-Claude van Rijckeghem
Date Read: 1 Mar 2024
How it fits: 367 Pages

Book: Staatsgeheim
Author: Colin Forbes
Date Read: 16 Mar 2024
How it fits: 255 Pages

✔3. Half Marathon
Task: Read three series books to complete this race. The books do not have to be from the same series.

Book: Let Me Whisper In Your Ear
Author: Mary Jane Clark
Date Read: 6 March 2024
How it fits: 3rd book in the KEY News Series


Book: Het vege lijf
Author: Ellis Peters
Date Read: 29 Mar 2024
How it fits: part of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael series (#7)


Book: Zin: mijn maand met Q
Author: Jackie van Laren
Date Read: 7 Apr 2024
How it fits: part of the Q-series ( #1)

Tune-up races finished.
I rolled 6

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).

Okay, let's go find some toilet paper then

T. Thorn by Intisar Khanani -2 June 2024
O. Opmerkelijke schepsels by Tracy Chevalier - 22 Apr 2024
I. In hechtenis by Nicci French - 29 Apr 2024
L. Lieven Scheire - A.I.: Over een wonderlijke nieuwe vorm van software die nu al overal om ons heen is - 6 May 2024
E. Emma Rous - The Au Pair - 29 May 2024
T. Danielle Thiéry - Dossier gesloten - 29 Jul 2024

P. Natasha Pulley - De verdwijning van de horlogemaker - 3 Jun 2024
A. Alex Michaelides - The Fury - 16 Apr 2024
P. Het Profiel by Val McDermid - 24 Aug 2024
E. Erin Hunter - De Outsider - 16 Jun 2024
R. Rick Riordan - De Verloren Held - 16 Apr 2024

Ready to be on my way again... what's up next?

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).

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.
De Spaanse belofte by Karen Swan - 12 Sep 2024
2. Pasta dinner - read a book where the MC cooks or eats a lot of pasta.
Chimaera by Xenia Kasper - 29 Dec 2024
3. Set your alarm - read a book that is alarming to you in some way (explain how).
All Your Twisted Secrets by Diana Urban - 17 Sep 2024
A book about bullying and suicide...
4. Lay out your clothes - read a book where the MC is a real clothes hound.
H@ck Het instituut by Mirjam Mous - 23 Oct 2024
5. Morning ritual (beverage, food, gear) - read a book where any character has a set ritual for something that they always do (explain what).
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint - 25 Sep 2024
The God Dionysos has a set ritual each night: he leads his followers into the woods where they a.o. kill a baby goat which is 'reassembled' afterwards and brought back to life by Dionysos himself.

I rolled 2

2 = You forgot to set your alarm for race day morning so you wake up late and are in a rush to get out the door. Spell out ALARM CLOCK -or- read a book with the word Alarm in the title or series name.

A
L
A
R
M - Mike van Hoecke - De Violist van Birkenau - 7 Jan 2025
*
C
L
O
C
K

Book wilth 'Alarm' in the title:
Alarmfase rood by Tess Gerritsen - 19 Jan 2025

I'm ready for the next task(s)

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!

1. Read a book where one or more characters are very excited and happy about an event. Say what the event is.
Sneeuwvlokken in Teheran by Marjan Kamali - 21 Jan 2025 - Mina and her mom en dad are very excited because Mina is getting married.
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.
De Gwendy-trilogie by Stephen King - 6 Feb 2025
Gwendy receives a mysterious button box which she has to care for. In the beginning this is quite easy, but as she understands that the box contains some dark, evil powers and as the box seems to get more and more power over its owner, being responsible for this box becomes more and more difficult.
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.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - 28 Jan 2025 - Starr decides to testify against a police officer who killed her friend, but when this results in her family getting threats she starts to doubt whether this is the right thing to do.
4. Read a book where a character completes some monumental effort and is now wiped out but also happy. Say what it is.
De Jaagster by Kate Quinn - 16 Feb 2025
Both Ian and Nina have been searching for a Nazi murderess for 5 years. Their search brought them from Europe to the USA. At long last they succeed in capturing 'the huntress' and bringing her to justice.

NOTE: There is one more die roll following this step.

5. (optional - after your die roll is complete...) Sign up for another race!

Completed above tasks and rolled one...

1 = Race morning goes extremely well for you - you wake up refreshed and arrive at the race feeling fabulous. Spell out ECSTATIC.

E - Emiko Jean - Tokyo Ever After - 25 Mar 2025
C - Toni Coppers - Niets is ooit - 14 Mar 2025
S - Space rats by Bavo Dhooge - 19 Feb 2025
T - T.J. Klune - Het boomhuis in het bos - 10 Mar 2025
A - Ali Hazelwood - Bride - 25 Feb 2025
T - Tonke Dragt - De torens van februari - 22 Mar 2025
I - Ik ga naar de schapen by Marieke De Maré - 13 Apr 2025
C -S.A. Cosby - Alle zondaars zullen bloeden - 27 Feb 2025

I completed the spell out

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU FINISHED YOUR MARATHON!

I'ld like to go for a new Marathon. This time something closer to home: The London Marathon

--> 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.
De liefdeshypothese by Ali Hazelwood - 17 Apr 2025

Awesome!!



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.

The London Marathon:

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.
Dorst by Esther Gerritsen - 22 Apr 2025

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.
A Door in the Dark by Scott Reintgen - 30 Apr 2025

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).
The Redemption of Althalus by David Eddings - 19 May 2025
726 pages in a language that's not my mother tongue... it was kind of a challenge to finish it, but I managed. Woohoo!

4. Long Runs. These build endurance. Read a book that is at least 300 pages long to complete this run.
H@ck De kolonie by Mirjam Mous - 29 Apr 2025 - 370 pages

The London Marathon Training tasks completed!

Die roll next!

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

Sorry... I rolled 2

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.

T. Het teken van drie - Stephen King - 20 July 2025
R. Taylor Jenkins Reid - De zeven echtgenoten van Evelyn Hugo - 27 July 2025
E. Eefje Pleij - Juf met staarten op een zwarte school - 31 Jul 2025
A. Ana Huang - King of Wrath 27 May 2025
D. Sylvia Day - Een nacht uit duizenden - 18 Jun 2025
M. De moordenaar waagt een gok by Agatha Christie - 26 Jun 2025
I. Kazuo Ishiguro - Laat me nooit alleen - 10 Jun 2025
L. Ludo Enckels - De Mayonaisemoorden - 13 Jun 2025
L. Derek Landy - Skulduggery Pleasant - 5 Aug 2025

Spell out completed...

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.

The London Marathon tune-up races

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.
Galapagos by Michaël Olbrechts - 14 Aug 2025

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.
Book 1: Schaduw van de koning by Bavo Dhooge - 9 Aug 2025 - 644 pages
Book 2: Op rozen op Vlieland by Roos Verlinden - 28 Aug 2025 - 213 pages

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 1: De giftige pen by Agatha Christie - 15 Aug 2025 - Part of the Miss Marple Series
Book 2: Het verloren rijk by Stephen King - 2 Sep 2025