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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.

Ariel, which marathon shall we run? Maybe we could each list our top 3, and then find a common one we agree on.

Top 3 for me would probably be:

- New York City
- Athens
- Rome.

I'm open to other ones those if your top 3 doesn't match up! :)

New York is definitely in my top 3. I have a book set in Rome that's on my short list, but I wouldn't be able to begin reading it until next Saturday.

Since New York is one that aligns, we could start with that one? I have a few books that definitely hit NY right off the bat.

Yes, let's go for the New York City marathon. I'm going to start a book right now that will fit the task.

Perfect! I am finishing up a book but the next one I start today will hit it.

Race chosen/Training task: New York City race
Book: Don't Hex with Texas
Author: Shanna Swendson
Date Read: 2/7/23 ****
How it fits: one of the main characters is from New York

Race Chosen/Training Task: New York City
Book: Ghosting: A Love Story
Author: Tash Skilton
Date Read: 2/8/2023
How It Fits: The story primarily takes place in New York City.

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.



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.

Okay so how do you want to split these up? Do you have any of the 4 that you really want to do? Or should we just randomize it?

Ariel wrote: "Okay so how do you want to split these up? Do you have any of the 4 that you really want to do? Or should we just randomize it?"

I think it would be fair for you to read 2 tasks, and I'd take the other 2 tasks. #3 is probably the hardest.

Randomizing sounds intriguing though :)

I kind of really want to do #2 so since that's an easy one for me (I absolutely love thrillers) - I could take #3. I think it would be interesting to do it even if it is sort of the hardest. Are you okay with #1 and #4?

Ariel wrote: "I kind of really want to do #2 so since that's an easy one for me (I absolutely love thrillers) - I could take #3. I think it would be interesting to do it even if it is sort of the hardest. Are you okay with #1 and #4?"

Sounds like a plan. I'll do #1 and 4. Thank you.

Training task: #1 - Read any book you like.
Book: Aunt Dimity Digs In
Author: Nancy Atherton
Date Read: 2/13/23
How it fits: it's a book that I read :)

Training task: #4 - Read a book that is at least 300 pages long.
Book: The River Knows
Author: Amanda Quick
Date Read: 2/10/23 ****
How it fits: the book has 380 pages

Training Task: #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: These Deadly Games
Author: Diana Urban
Date Read: 2/12/23
Rating: 4 stars
How it Fits: I read it in like 3 hours and it is MPG Mystery/thriller.

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: The Essential 55
Author: Ron Clark
Date Read: 2/15
Rating: 3 stars
How it Fits: Ron Clark is someone I became aware of during university. All my education professors were so enamored with him but after doing my research into him, I personally found flaws with his school and beliefs so when I was gifted his book at graduation, I tossed it into a box and never looked back. For this challenge, I decided to read it after scoffing for so many years. It wasn't awful and there were a few ideas stuck out as worthwhile - I still don't necessarily love the guy but the book was alright and I may just look into the other ones he has.

Did you want to roll or did you want me to?

Ariel wrote: "Did you want to roll or did you want me to?"

Go for it!

Okay, I rolled the die via random.org and got the number 6.

6 = Your boss needs you to work overtime for two weeks to push a project through, so you can't fit in your regular morning workouts and have to run late in the day when you get home - NOT your idea of fun. Spell out UNMOTIVATED -or- read a book with the word Inconvenient or Inconvenience in the title.
Relay teams must each read the optional book listed as an alternate if they opt not to do the spell out.

Ariel, would you rather spell out the word or read a book with the word in title?

Spelling out the word would take longer . Do you think you could find a book with the word in the title? I'm sure we could find one. Do we read the same book for that task?

Ariel wrote: "Spelling out the word would take longer."

Indeed it would. I'd rather not go that route.

Ariel wrote: "Do you think you could find a book with the word in the title? I'm sure we could find one. Do we read the same book for that task?"

I've found two books that look interesting with 'inconvenient' in the title. I'm pretty sure we don't need to read the same book.

In that case, I say we go for the alternate task and read the book with the title.

You can absolutely read different books!

Completion Post

Race chosen/Training task: read a book with the word Inconvenient or Inconvenience in the title
Book: The Earl's Inconvenient Houseguest
Author: Virginia Heath
Date Read: 2/23/23 **
How it fits: "Inconvenient" is in the title

Completion Post

Race Chosen/Training Task: Read a book with the word inconvenient or inconvenience in the title.
Book: The Inconvenient Corpse: A Grace Cassidy Mystery
Author: Jackie King
Read: 2/25/2023
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: "Inconvenient" in the 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.



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 easy way to split this would be to do 3 books each since 6 books are required to be read. Do you have a specific task (1, 2, or 3) that you want to read? I'd be fine with any of them.

It makes sense for us each to read 3 books. I'm not reading very many series books right now. Shall I take 1 and 2?

It's a good thing I am. LOL That works for me.

Ariel wrote: "It's a good thing I am. LOL..."

Yep :)

Completion Posts

1. 5K Race
Training task: read a book of over 200 pages in two days to complete this race
Book: Autumn Winifred Oliver Does Things Different
Author: Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
Date Read: 3/7/23 ****
How it fits: it has over 200 pages and I read it in two days (226 pages)

2. 10K Race
a. Training task: read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.
Book: The Host
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Date Read: 3/2/23 ****
How it fits: it has over 200 pages (625 pages)

2.
b. Training task: read two books that are over 200 pages long to complete this race.
Book: The Gladiator
Author: Carla Capshaw
Date Read: 3/3/23 **
How it fits: the book has 288 pages

Completion Post

3a. Training Task: Read 3 series books.
Book: Picture Perfect by Sundae Leighton
Date Read: March 6, 2023
Series: Wide Open

3b. Training Task: Read 3 series books.
book: Reverse Pass by Maggie Rawdon
Date Read: March 5-6, 2023
Series: Plays & Penalties Series #1

3c. Training Task: Read 3 series books.
Book: The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene
Date Read: March 17, 2023
Series: Nancy Drew Mystery Stories

Ariel, how are you doing with that last book?

I may have forgotten to update it. I am so sorry. I did do our roll though and rolled a 5.

5 = You get stuck behind a group of friends running a race together so you have to spend more energy to get around them - only to run into another set of friends soon thereafter. Spell out BLOCKADE -or- read a book where the MC experiences a serious blockage in his or her plan (say what it is), or with the word Block(s) or Blocked in the title.
Relay teams must each read the optional book listed as an alternate if they opt not to do the spell out.

Ariel wrote: "I may have forgotten to update it. I am so sorry..."

No worries.

What do you think about the tasks? Can you find a book for the alternate tasks, or do we need to do the spell out?

I can definitely find a book for the alternate tasks. In fact, I already have a book for the word Block/Blocked.

Completion Post

Race chosen/Training task: read a book where the MC experiences a serious blockage in his or her plan (say what it is)
Book: Elly's Ghost
Author: John R. Kess
Date Read: 3/23/23 ***
How it fits: the MC's plan to fly to Washington was blocked because (view spoiler)[of bad guys who tried to kidnap her, and then she had to hide from them. (hide spoiler)]

Completion Post
Race Chosen/Training Task: A book with the word BLOCK in the title.
Book: On the Chopping Block
Author: Jenny Kales
Date Read: March 27-29
How It Fits: The word block is in the title.

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.



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).

Ariel, do any of the tasks look easy to you? Which ones look tough?

Would it be bad to say that they all look a little tough? LOL

I already have a book for #1 so I can take that one. Do you have any ideas for the others?

Ariel wrote: "Would it be bad to say that they all look a little tough?"

They are tough!

Ariel wrote: "I already have a book for #1 so I can take that one. Do you have any ideas for the others?"

Go ahead and read for #1. I'll look for some possible matches to the tasks and let you know which number I'll read for.

Completion Post

Race chosen/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: Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken?
Author: Kelly Jones
Date Read: 4/7/23 ***
How it fits: the MC has to set a ritual of washing her hands before handing the eggs

I'm reading a book for 4. read a book where the MC is a real clothes hound.

Completion Post

Race Chosen/Training Task: 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.
Book: Pretty Dead Queens
Author: Alexa Donne
Date Read: 4/9/2023
Qualifications: Several chapters are set at a True Crime expo.

I am reading a book that fits #3 - a book that is alarming.

Completion Post

Race chosen/Training task: read a book where the MC is a real clothes hound.
Book: Gwen's Ghost
Author: Lynn Kerstan
Date Read: 4/17/23 ****
How it fits: the 'ghost' is a clothes hound