I should probably clarify. In reference to the rigor mortis thing. I am well aware that this only happens when you are dead. I have heard the term jokingly used in running for the stiffness that a running usually adopts when they are kicking or when they are coming down that last 200m of an 800m. Look at Nigel Amos in this video of Rudisha's 800m world record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEOjWEzVGsAs for CV. I have been following tinman for quite sometime now not just from the post. I think for about 2 years now. He helped publish a book a couple of years ago that uses the pace range of CV. Which for experienced runners is between there threshold pace and there 10k pace. Essentially it is their 15k pace according to Jack Daniels. TInman even has a calculator for it on his website that I have been using for a while (Link at bottom). To clarify about CV is. He has mentioned several different terms for it. 10% slower than vo2max, between your threshold and 10k. But to quote him directly he says
"My observations: runners who train their type IIa fibers to process oxygen effectively may be able to sustain CV pace (90% of V.O2 max) for up to 40 or 45 minutes. Runners who have a lot of speed and train using CV-type workouts tend to sustain 90% of V.O2 max for 20-25 minutes. On average, serious runners can sustain 90% of V.O2 max intensity for 30-35 minutes. As a matter of practicality, I tell my runners to ask themselves a simple question while running assigned CV workouts: Can I hold this pace for half an hour? If so, they are close to the correct CV pace."
Basically in the book he wrote he said that running between your 10k pace and threshold, or what he calls tempo, is best for increasing your MCTs in intermediate muscle fibers.
As for me being scientific. I understand what you mean. But basically I use logic and experience for my training. I then back it up with scientific data that I find interesting and in the process I might find a new workout or find little ways to tweak the others.
The train one race distance up principle that I use is a pretty common practice. While using the faster than is a Canova principle that just makes sense.
Tinman calculator-http://www.runningprs.com/calc2/index.php