quick question for

[Pika]

those in the know
Can you wear the heart rate strap ( the part that goes around your chest) in the water?
I need to have my heart rate monitor for the bike and it would be way simplier to put the chest strap on before the swim and not have to fiddle with it in T1- not willing to "test" it though since I am close to the 1/2 IM and don't want to have to replace it so soon before the race.

If you can't wear it in the water- anyone one have any tips for getting it on quickly/efficiently?
Thanks a bunch
tam

[kelownagirl]

those in the know
Can you wear the heart rate strap ( the part that goes around your chest) in the water?
I need to have my heart rate monitor for the bike and it would be way simplier to put the chest strap on before the swim and not have to fiddle with it in T1- not willing to "test" it though since I am close to the 1/2 IM and don't want to have to replace it so soon before the race.

If you can't wear it in the water- anyone one have any tips for getting it on quickly/efficiently?
Thanks a bunch
tam

I don't know but I would be worried about water getting into the battery compartment. I lost the cover for my battery and although I have it taped up pretty carefully, once in awhile a little sweat gets in there and the thing stops working...

[Veronica]

Polars can be worn in the water.

V.

[Wahine]

Check your manual for sure, but there's absolutely no problem with the polar straps in the water. I've worn my garmin strap in the swim and have not had any issues. I put the watch on my tri bars and hit the timer on the way out of T1, once i'm on my bike, hitting my stride and in a safe place, I put it on my wrist. You have to be pretty confident to do this because it would really suck to drop it. The safest thing to do is to put it on in T1.

When's your race again? I forgot. It's the Oliver HIM right?

How exciting!!!

[activediva]

Wondering why you want to wear it? They are for training, unless you have a heart condition. Want to share more?

[Blueberry]

Some people use them as part of their race strategy to ensure that they are performing at the appropriate level given their goals and conditioning.

CA

[Wahine]

Especially for races longer than an Olympic distance. These races are long enough that it becomes a big problem later in the race if you spend too much time at or above your lactate threshold.