I myself am actually looking to run 1:19:xx, so your advice is great! Thanks!
When I said faster than goal pace, I meant faster than 6:06 per mile pace. I have done both 4x2 mile with 2 mins rest and 8x1 mile with 1 min rest recently, and for both of those I tried to average about 6:00 just to try and build confidence that I can indeed hold 6:06 for the race. The splits for those workouts were:
4x2: 6:01, 6:00, 5:48 (didn't know I was going this fast), 5:56 (eased off a little for fear of blowing up later), 5:49 (didn't know I was going this fast), 5:54 (again eased off a little for fear of blowing up later), 5:49, 5:59 (up a horrible hill)
8x1: 5:58, 5:59: 5:54, 5:51,5:47, 5:48, 5:48, 5:47
So I was thinking of running the 3x5K repeats at about 6:00 pace, at least for the first 5K and then seeing how I feel for the next two reps. I was also going to try out my kit for race day, to see whether I'll be cold or not (still considering wearing a jacket).
Do you think still think 3x5K is too much?