That's a great question, and I'm trying hard to answer it. One thing is that it is different pushing through little aches, soreness, twinges, etc. when you are healthy, but doing the same thing when you're injured can set you back, because it keeps you from fully healing. What it took for me to get past some issues the January crash created was backing way off, and getting repeated massage from someone who really knows her stuff when it come to hips and legs. Not many therapist know how to really work an IT band, or how to help you regain flexibility and overcome strains in the hip. She worked miracles. So as I started pushing it again, having her keep things working was a real key. Because what I broke were ribs, I underestimated the impact of my hip hitting at the same time as my back. Seemed like a nagging thing I could ignore, but it wouldn't go away. I was also training on a different bike, while I replaced the shattered frame, and I was attributing things to that. So tl;dr, pay really close attention to your body after an injury.

Second is that I believe you can push the TSS up faster for a comeback. In fact (and of course I hesitate saying this!) but I think Ex has maybe taken it too easy on me. There is a huge difference between an injury limitation, and fatigue. Fatigue hasn't been an issue, so I think I could grow the TSS a bit faster, schedule permitting. I do recognize though, that going over that threshold can set you back just as much as an injury.

Aside from the injury related aspects, I think my macro cycle leading up to January was spot on. For me, I was really flying. I had gone from major base the prior year, to an approach that focused much more on intervals for the durations that really help you win, and I was a different rider. Let me pull that period: