Lanelle and Ariel's Relay Marathon Challenge

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

I've been trying to think of a book where the MC cooks or eats a lot of pasta. I haven't thought of one yet, but I'll keep looking.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Yay! I finally came across a book where the MC eats a lot of pasta!

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Completion Post

Race chosen/Training task: Morning ritual (beverage, food, gear) - read a book where the MC cooks or eats a lot of pasta
Book: No Bed of Roses
Author: N.J. Litz
Date Read: 6/2/23 **
How it fits: the Mcs eat a lot of pasta

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

I rolled a 1.

[Ariel]

I just realized I never posted for alarming but I do have one read. Let me post it real quick.

[Ariel]

Completion Post

Race Chosen/Training Task: Set your alarm - read a book that is alarming to you in some way (explain how).
Book: Night of the Living Dummy
Author: R.L. Stine
Date Read: April 24th.
How it Fits: Um, I read this book while subbing for a 3rd grade class a couple weeks ago and it terrifies me even as an adult. I mean, it was scary as a kid but a dummy that comes alive and terrorizes people? No thank you. Dolls scare me.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel wrote: "I just realized I never posted for alarming but I do have one read. Let me post it real quick."

Ha. I didn't even check to see if you had posted it. I just assumed.

Erica, do you want me to re-roll?

[Ariel]

It just goes to show how much I pay attention to my own things. LOL I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached to me.

[Erica, Quality Control Supervisor]

No, you're good. And Ariel, you are so funny - I say EXACTLY the same thing all the time!

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).

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel, can you find a book with a character who is a restaurant chef or do we need to spell out SPAGHETTI? I don't think I'll have a hard time finding a book with a chef.

[Ariel]

I can definitely find a book with a restaurant chef.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Completion Post

Race chosen/Training task: read a book with a character who is a restaurant chef
Book: Second Thyme Around: A Novel
Author: Katie Fforde
Date Read: 6/6/23 ****
How it fits: one of the MCs is a restaurant chef (Lucas)

[Ariel]

Completion Post

Race Chosen/Training Task: Read a book with a character who is a restaurant chef
Book: The City Baker's Guide to Country Living
Author: Louise Miller
Date Read: June 9
Rating: 5 stars
How it Fits: MFC is a pastry chef (Olivia) at an inn.

[Ariel]

I rolled a 6.

[Erica, Quality Control Supervisor]

Actually, you don't roll yet... that comes after this!


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.
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!

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel, I think these tasks are the kind you just happen across. I don't think you can search for them. What do you think?

Just finished a book that will work for #4. I'll go ahead and make a Completion Post.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: read a book where a character completes some monumental effort and is now wiped out but also happy. Say what it is.
Book: Almost Home
Author: Joan Bauer
Date Read: 6/13/23 ***
How it fits: The MC works hard to keep her mother's spirits up after (view spoiler)[they lose their house, the father deserts them, they are homeless, and the mother has a nervous breakdown and is sent to a hospital. Although she triumphs, she is exhausted by the time her mother gets back to somewhat normal. (hide spoiler)]

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: read a book where a character gets into a situation that becomes progressively more difficult as time wears on.
Book: Tuck Everlasting
Author: Natalie Babbitt
Date Read: 6/14/23 *****
How it fits: The MC stumbles upon a secret. The situation quickly gets out of hand and escalates until a horrible decision is made.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel, have you read any books that might work for #1 and #3?

[Ariel]

Race Chosen/Training Task: Read a book where one or more characters are very excited and happy about an event. Say what the event is.
Book: Welcome to Moonlight Harbor
Author: Sheila Roberts
Date Read: July 4/4 stars
How it Fits: Jenna, the mfc, is excited about all of her hardwork being paid off in the reopening of the inn she took her, Driftwood Inn.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: 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: Enchanted, Inc.
Author: Shanna Swendson
Date Read: 7/5/23 *****
How it fits: The MC decides to take a new job. She has serious self-doubt about if she is qualified for that job.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Erica, I rolled a 6.

[Erica, Quality Control Supervisor]

6 = You hit the 20-mile mark and you are not actually dying. You trained well, and you're going to make it! Spell out GOING HOME.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Spell out GOING HOME
tracking post

G - Message 80
O - Message 79
I - Message 86
N - Message 87
G - Message 78

H - Message 83
O - Message 76
M - Message 81
E - Message 88

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel, the book I'm reading right now will work for an O, so I take one of them.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: spell out GOING HOME
Book: Otherwise Engaged
Author: Amanda Quick
Date Read: 7/7/23 ****
How it fits: the title begins with O

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

I've started a book with an author with a G last name. I'll take one of the Gs.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: spell out GOING HOME
Book: The Forsaken Inn
Author: Anna Katharine Green
Date Read: 7/8/23 ***
How it fits: the author's last name begins with G

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: spell out GOING HOME
Book: David and the Phoenix
Author: Edward Ormondroyd
Date Read: 7/10/23 ***
How it fits: the author's last name begins with O

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: spell out GOING HOME
Book: Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess
Author: Shari Green
Date Read: 7/11/23 ****
How it fits: the author's last name begins with G

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: spell out GOING HOME
Book: Miss Lockharte's Letters
Author: Barbara Metzger
Date Read: 7/11/23 ****
How it fits: the title begins with M

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel, have you read any books that work for the remaining letters, or do you want to claim any for books that you might read soon? (see Message 74)

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Race chosen/Training task: spell out GOING HOME
Book: The Silver Ring Mystery
Author: Helen Wells
Date Read: 7/13/23 ***
How it fits: the author's first begins with H

[Ariel]

I can take the last three letters. I'll have books for all of them by tomorrow. LOL

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Ariel wrote: "I can take the last three letters. I'll have books for all of them by tomorrow. LOL"

Awesome!

[Ariel]

Training Task: Spell out Going Home
Book: I'm Just No Good at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups
Author: Chris Harris
Date Read: 7/16/23
How it Fits: Book starts with an I.

[Ariel]

Training Task: Spell out Going Home
Book: No Matter the Wreckage: Poems
Author: Sarah Kay
Date Read: 7/16-7/17
How it Fits: Book starts with the letter N.

[Ariel]

Training Task: Spell Out Going Home
Book: Worth It: Poetry
Author: Erin Matlock
Date Read: 7/17
How it Fits: Author's name begins with the letter E.

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Erica, we have finished spelling out GOING HOME.

[Erica, Quality Control Supervisor]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU FINISHED YOUR MARATHON!

[Lanelle, Production Chief]

Yay! We did it!

Thanks for being such a great running partner, Ariel.