I also like that tempo gives me a chance to work on proper (middle-distance, not sprint) mechanics.
Since you are at this level and you seem to have adapted to this workout, it might be a good idea to challenge your system a bit. I think one of my posts above suggests a few things about progression; same things might apply to you. You can increase the interval distance, for example, extending the recovery -even longer vs. 1/1 initialy to give your system a chance for proper adaptations- and this (i.e., longer intervals) will give you a boost, I believe, in this aspect of your training.
However, keep in mind that your current training state and how other elements are progressing around is very important and corresponding changes in your tempo should be very progressive, nothing great, in order to avoid time-loss for “new” adaptations.
I am not good in geometry! 
With bold above you have your answer! You enjoy it and it works, what else do you need??
What you are saying about tradition of doing certain things is true, but this isn’t a good enough reason to do things their way…
If you are more the 400-800 m vs. the 800-1500 m runner, stick with your tempo, as continuous runs might not be necessary at all -even for the second case, too, depending on the athlete.
About your second post above, make sure that the pace of your tempo is not approaching that of your 800 m pace; if you are referting to the general feeling that a tempo session gives via relaxation etc, then that’s fine…
Hope it helps!
Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.
Yes, I’d say tempo is about 5k pace, but I find it to have a great deal of carryover to 800/1500 pace.
I just need to find somewhere to do longer reps now.
Yes, 5K pace sounds ok and the carryover effect you are referring to is very interesting!
For longer reps, up and down will work just fine… 