Runner's Training Tips: HR Monitor?

The point of a HRM is telling you what your heart rate is.  The rest is a mixture of conjecture, opinion and maybe religion.  My two cents (and two thoughts):

First is the issue of safety.  There is some idea that a "safe" zone is determined by some formula -- ie, 220 minus your age as the maximum HR, and you're supposed to train at 80% of that or so.  However, the heart has a way of letting you know when it's at its max (which might, or might not be at the above formula).  In addition, no HRM will keep you from having a sudden coronary event if you've got some plaque ready to break loose, or an aneurysm ready to go, etc.  

Second, while a HRM (like other devices) can help you determine a good training pace for you, I know first-hand that I enjoy running (and cycling) a lot more the less electronics that I carry with me.  I mean, don't we kill some aspects of running, riding, etc when we're constantly staring at a HRM, GPS, stop watch, etc etc?  

I had mixed feelings at first as well.  I ran for about 7 years with out any fancy devices.  However after much debate I decided to splurge on the Forerunner 50 with HRM and footpod.  While running, I find that I don't really use the HRM readings as much as the pace readings.  But I also don't obsess about those either.  I will glance at my watch occasionlly to see that I'm around what I think I should be, and that is about it. 

The interesting thing for me is after the run because the info is uploaded to my computer.  I can see my varying HR and pace.  I don't really know if it is helping me in my training, other than seeing progress as I log more miles but it is neat in any event.

As with the zones and safe HR I think most times your body will tell you what is OK.  Mine will get up to 185 while I'm running (and 189 is supposed to be my max), and I don't feel like I'm going to pass out or keel over.  But as malyce7 said, it is useful on long runs to make sure you don't over do it too early in the run. 

As a funny side note, when I first got it I paid a lot of attention to it since it was new and I was getting use to it.  On this particular run I was monitoring my HR so I would take note quite often.  Well about 3 miles into the run I see my HR is around 45 bpm.   I had a second of panic that my heart was stopping, but quickly realized that I felt fine so it just wasn't reading right.  LOL. 

Hope this wasn't too long!

I use a heart rate monitor along with my Garmin 305 to share my training intensity with my cardiologist.  When he'd look into my profile on motionbased and see my heart rate above his recommended threshold i could count on a call and a lecture.  2 years of this monitoring and I'm now riding without him worrying whether I'm going to make the next appointment.  My recommended max has gone up to roughly the benchmark 220 - age and my heartrates now never come close...  Without daily Actos use.

 Mike