Heart Rate Monitor and Usage

While I can't speak to a Polar HRM, I've used my HRM in two races so far (even in the swim with no wetsuit on) with no adverse effects.  I used it just to track my overall time (and avg hr of course) and other than that I didn't look at it until I was done. 

I think most here will suggest that you race as fast as you can and not rely on it for pacing.  Just go fast.....

Good Luck and Welcome to BT!

Not sure if you are male or female, but I would definately wear it if you can.  You have to wear the strap under a swim suit(female), tri-suit(either) or wetsuit(either) to keep the chest strap from slipping, and it probably won't record HR during the swim, but you will have the timing.  I use one and hit the button at the start, at T1, start of bike, T2, start of run, and finish.  I NEVER look at it though.  Especially on a sprint.  (They are short enough that you can go all out.  Now, that's just my opinion, others may disagree, but I don't "save" anything for the run on sprint distance.)  I only record it for the info later and for tris that do not time each leg and the transistions.

Good luck this weekend!

I actually just put my online order for pickup in at best buy for the garmin FR 305 that is on sale and that will be my first time using one in over 10 years. Back in HS I had plenty of friends who owned them so I never bought one and I would borrow one every year for BS camp to wear on the mile swim.  Literally I would just have a speedo on and the strap and it was perfectly fine. I don't see any reason why it would need to be on under clothing in order to hold it in place as I never found that it had to be and it worked perfectly fine in the water.


I was using polar ones back then as well ~95-98.


I see how it could be good in a race to get the results after but I know for me personally it would be too distracting and I probably won't use mine in the sprint I have planned in 2 months.

Its ok to wear but I don't think an HR monitor is going to help you much for a sprint or mini-sprint.  The races are too fast in the three disciplines and you basically are going all out anyway.

As the saying goes... "nothing new on race day"  If you've been wearing it and are counting on knowing your HR  during the race, I say go ahead and wear it.

I wear mine and it helps me on the run because I always feel like I'm dying, but I can look at my HR and know I'm not really and then I'll push myself harder. :D