Heart rate question

When I first got my HRM last Oct I could barely walk and the thing was going crazy.  I couldn't keep it in a training zone for anything.  There were days I would be so sick of it beeping at me I took it off and threw it across the room (if on the treadmill).  I also went from running 9 min miles to running 13 min miles (walking fast).  BUT, I stuck with it and now I can run 9 min miles while still keeping my HR under 140 usually around 135.  This equates to about 65% of max.  So although you are finding that it is hard to keep your HR down at your 'normal' pace, I think if you stick with it and not worry about the time/mile you will see improvements.  This was something very hard for me to get used to being that I like to just go and go fast when possible. 

On the flip side, I have yet to do this on the bike.  Right now my bike HR is much, much higher than my run HR.  I know if I would just take it slow and easy, like I did with my running that I would benefit just the same.  However, I still have the competitive side in me that wants to go fast  on the bike.  In the end the HRM is just a tool and you can either use it or not, I got thru 35 years without one and I am still here.  There are still days I go out with out it and go on the RPE scale and days I wear it and it shoots out of my desired range and I turn off the sound.  Sometimes when you want to go.....you go.  My 2 cents.