HRM question

Why do you want to wear it? I would think that you are just going to go "all out" during the race, and then it doesn't matter what your HR is - Unless you are using it to keep your HR at a particular point so that you can get through the race.

Maybe there is a reason for wearing it that I just don't know about?

That's what I was wondering. I guess I'm just funny that way. For some reason, I was thinking, if I used the HRM then I would know that I'm "going all out" or if I'm below my target HR.

In my opinion, if you've trained w/a hrm and your distance is olympic, or longer, it would be a great idea to wear your hrm. Many coaches recommend wearing it during the race because percieved excertion is not indicative of what is going on internally at all times. For instance, during your run, if you know you're a few beats under your max hr, the hrm will allow you to increase your excertion confidently, and not worry about "blowing up." Also, many of the top pros wear hrms when racing..what's good enough for them, is surely good enough for you.

Just to confuse things even more :-) ....

I think it's a great idea for you to wear your HRM during the race, but listen to your RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion). Many charts for RPE on the BT site and the net. Awareness of RPE will tell you exactly how hard you are working. The reason I advocate wearing the HRM is for later reference for future races--not this one.

Your HR during a race may be different than what you observe in training due to race stress, so don't necessarily follow training numbers. (For a practical example, think about what your HR is before heading out for a normal training run and compare it with the number you see just before the gun goes off at a race). Record data from your race, compare it with how hard you felt you were going and use the information for future races and compare with training numbers.

Use every tool at your disposal, but know the strengths and limitations of each tool....

Have a great race,
Scott

I am on the fence as to whether I will wear it to race or not.
I plan on wearing mine for my first sprint race in June (a "B" race) to test it and will go from there....

My vote is to go without. Listen to your body and push yourself. Wear your watch to monitor your splits on the run so you can help pace yourself. I don't think your HRM will do you much good unless you have spent a fair amount of time training at race(all out) pace to know just exactly where you heart rate is. Jjust my $.02