race pace 400s 5/11/15

A new experiment for me: 400s at target 5K pace with moderate recovery. I've always done 400s just below my current mile pace (i.e., two seconds slower) with full recovery. But it's been 2.5 years since I've run a legitimate 5K so I thought this would be a good time to reacquaint myself with the unique torture of that distance. I hope to be in 17:30 shape for the July 4th 5K, so 84s. I'm also doing the Village Fair 5K in June but have zero expectations for that race.

splits (rest)
84.2 (77)
85.1 (77)
83.5 (79)
82.7 (78)
85.0 (78)
83.6 (76)
84.0 (80)
83.4 (2:00 - took extra time here to towel off and have some water. I was already thoroughly drenched.)
83.7 (76)
82.6 (81)
83.0 (83)
82.9 (79)
82.2 (83)
81.4 (done)

83.4 overall average: Pretty close, but lots of trouble feeling out the right pace, which comes as no surprise. Summer is here with a vengeance - the "thoroughly drenched" remark isn't hyperbole.