As you reach that magic 8,848 on the Garmin, you will be exhausted and wired.

Euphoric? Probably not. Pleased? Yes. Relieved you made it and didn’t have a heart attack? Yes. Proud? Yes.

Taking 5 minutes to stretch before you get in the car to head home and again after your hot/cold bath before you fall into bed could well be the best 10 minute investment of your life.

That and smashing the water down.

Stretch again the following morning, smash down some more water and if you can, treat yourself to a massage. Full body.

Keep stretching religiously, eat wisely and cleanly in the 3 to 5 days following your ride, focusing on replenishing the nutrients you’ve lost and rehydrate, rehydrate, rehydrate.

Go out for a gentle spin within 48 hours to loosen the legs and after around a week to 10 days, head out onto your favourite hill and go flat out and watch how you miraculously smash your PB, but be warned: you have a tiny window of just 7 to 10 days to take advantage before you go back to normal.

Things that surprised me:

• My legs and arse were fine
• The small of my back was wrecked
• The balls of my feet were a wreck
• The balls of my hands were a wreck
• My neck was a wreck
• My shoulders were a wreck
• My jaw was exhausted when I ate from being clamped shut on the ups and the descents
• In 3 Everestings, the only cramp I have experienced was towards the end of number 1 in my neck next to my Adam’s apple during the attempt

Did I mention stretching…?

Now, start planning the next one. Go on, do it. You’ve opened the door to a unique room…