“That should be low impact unless Blake has become more creative.”
The stationary bikes were visible through the open door. “Can I cycle?”
“Low resistance if symptom-free. Do not invent a new activity because you are panicking about rest.”
The brightly colored knee diagram behind her remained unhelpful.
“How much fitness will I lose?”
“Almost none.”
“How much training time?”
“A few days if you cooperate. More if you don’t.”
“The half marathon is in four weeks.”
“It remains conditional. You need the two short return runs without symptoms, then pain-free long runs of seven and eight miles. Two weeks before the race, you need a controlled ten with no pain, altered gait, or next-day symptoms. If any criterion fails, you do not start.”
“You have already designed this.”
“Miguel and I set the criteria from your logged data before you came in.”
I touched the watch. Rose saw.
“Amy.”
“What?”
“You’re not failing.”
“Intellectually.”
“What’s true?”
The concern had spread.
“No.”
Rose made a note.
“Tell me what you think is happening.”
“The plan is becoming unstable.”
“Plans change.”
“I am aware.”
“Dani taught you that.”
“Yes.”
“What are you actually afraid of?”
Beyond the closed door, Dani was probably pacing and blaming herself.
“I’m afraid that if I stop moving, I will stop being this version of myself.”
