It is excellent, the best thing, that you did the prostrations and practices, because death can come at any time. It is so worthwhile that you spent the time now doing the practices, especially the preliminary practices, as well as the pilgrimage. It is very, very wise that you did that, then you have no regrets at the time of death, as you have done the practices and retreat, so you can rejoice.

Doing the preliminary practices, including lam-rim meditation, is the best thing. If you are able to do this, it is unbelievably better than just counting mantras for one billion years. The purpose of counting mantras is in order to have lam-rim realizations, also the purpose of counting preliminary practices is to have lam-rim realizations, especially realizations on the root of the path: guru devotion, as well as the three principles of the path, the common and uncommon two stages, and to achieve enlightenment for all sentient beings.

In essence, the whole advice I am giving you is to actualize the path to enlightenment. Meditating and chanting millions and billions of mantras is just for that.