HRM or no HRM during race?

Do you wear it for all your training? The general rule of thumb is to race like you train. Personally, I'd wear it, but not look at the HR readout until after the race unless you start to feel bad during the race. If you feel bad, take a peek and see if your HR is too high, then you'll know to back off.

Then, during training pay close attention to your body. See how you feel during a given point in your workout and take infrequent looks at your HRM. I use mine only to verify my rate of precieved exertion. One thing to keep in mind is that the HRM is a tool, not a coach. Good luck in your race.

David

Random observation:

If you feel bad, why bother looking at the HRM?  You already know you feel bad.... 

agree  ^^^^^

I like to look at it afterwards,, I"ve also attempted to use the bike leg as a makeshift LT test just for the heck of it to see how close it would be to my other test.. (very close). It did take me a couple of races to get used to NOT looking at it.. mostly since it was a new toy, but for a sprint just go as hard as you can for as long as you can,, then push a little harder until you finish

I also agree. If you are going to be a slave to your HRM in a sprint then cover the display with duct tape and just look at the data later.

I wear it all the time - purely for data at the end of the race.

But I think it could be more important for longer races than shorter.  For sprints and Olys, I just go by RPE and let er rip.

However, with my HIM's, I have been prone to going out too hard.  It's nice to have a reminder to pull it back a little..

If you wear it for data later tape over the face so you aren't looking at it anyway.

I dropped racing with HRM 3 years ago and guess what I was faster and improved my ability to listen to my body that day and give what I have.

I say leave it at home or tape it over. 

I'm with you. I'm lazy, and reassuring myself that I'm not really pushing as hard as I think I am makes me push even harder. I look down and see 14x on the HR I know I'm just being a wuss so I pick it up. Maybe after a few more years and my RPE is accurate, but for now the computer tells me what to do. There's only been a few times where it's been so high that I've had to back off.

OK, no kids, but I'll claim the aged, slow part.  I have never raced with an HRM yet b/c I never used one before in training.  I want to use it in my upcoming race for the same reasons, that I think I might not be trying hard enough, i.e., I think I'm at race pace when really I'm in upper Zone 1 :-)

Thank you for all of your opinions.  I will leave it home.  I ended my first race last year with the intent to finish and have fun - goals achieved - and didn't have a HRM.  But, I had so much energy at the finish I felt like I should have pushed a bit harder.  I ended up as a MOP'r.  This year I'm planning to race, and with that, learn pacing by feel.

Some observations: My RPE sometimes doesn't match my HR.  I am more concerned when I look at my HRM and it's a high number than I do about what my actual RPE is at that time.  I am beginning to question the readouts at any one moment since any high-density electrical areas (intersections, substations, buildings) affect the readout.  At a slow jog I once recorded a 221 as I passed a transformer.  My HRM is a Polar F6.

Thanks again!  Now, onto the race! (Woo-hoo!!!) 

Just wanted to report back that I'm glad I didn't wear the HRM.  I would have slowed or stopped my swimming and slowed my biking speed.  As it was, I forgot I was wearing my regular Timex watch and forgot to start the time on it anyway.  I pushed myself without the "stress" of watching my HR - it was great!  Now I have to learn to train w/out looking at the HRM every minute.

I'll post a race report soon.  It went well, but hindered by dual calf cramps. 

Yep, I agree with Kathy and Laurensue.  I've worn mine for every race, but not for HR data (I look at that after).  I only look at pace.  And even that is rare.  Maybe once per leg.  Or if it is a stand alone (5k) 2-3 times max. 

Other than that, I rely on RPE.  I've done the training.  I've put in the time.  I now know what my body can and can't do and how it should feel.