Thread:RubikJohn/@comment-31919347-20180727131722/@comment-25615841-20180802095204

How did I not see this before?

I think it's really difficult to win on your first month running (counting only consecutive months). You just have to keep at it for a number of months, as the favourites are eliminated one by one, until you move to the top of the list. Of course, there are some irregularities like 5000 new users magically appearing to vote against you, but usually ToTM follows this pattern.

As a person, I'm sure you can do it, if not this month, in the next, and if not that, the one after that. Eventually you're almost guaranteed to win, regardless of any breaks you took, especially with how old you are and both your edit and mainspace advantage over some people :P