My 33k (un)surprise

I kept up with the 3:30 group quite well but, as I was on track for a personal best, I managed to successfully convince myself that I was out of my league and that if I continued on at this pace I would bonk hard and so I let the group go at the 30k mark and told myself that I do 12k all the time and that it was a cakewalk and that a 3:40 was in the bag.
I've had IT band issues in the past and, on my last long training run, the pain in my knee was so much that I couldn't get in the distance that I had wanted. I knew that pain was going to show up again and so after the group left me I popped a couple of extra strength Ibuprofen.
The pain showed up, as expected, but I was happy that I had mitigated it. What I hadn't been anticipating was the cramping. I think that though it was overcast, it was hotter than I had expected and I had gone through all my water. I started doubling up at water stations but, like in Vegas, I think once your feet start to cramp up there is a line that's been crossed and there's not much you can do about it.
With a few kilometres left I had manageable knee pain, increasing foot cramps and also a cramp starting in my right calve, but I just kept envisioning the finish line and I knew I was on track for a decent time, though it wouldn't be a PB.
Got back onto the lake shore walkway and the crowd started to thicken. Passed a bunch of half marathoners struggling in and, as I turned the corner for the chute I said "oh thank god".
Ran down chute alone and just enjoyed it. Enjoyed the run, the event, the spectators, the weekend, the accomplishment, the distance, the sense of completion, the feeling of confidence that I have had since day one of this clinic and came in with 3:35:50.
Raised my hands over my head as I approached the finish line and everything from the knee down started to seize up.
It was worth it though.
I got a medal with Ogopogo on it.