Running

Essentially in terms of data on my bodies performance and how much I am outputting it probably goes GPS Speed < perceived effort < Heart rate < Power

So in terms of racing its good to have the best data I can afford (i.e. no power) to ensure I'm not burning my metaphorical matches too quickly.

For example, running a marathon, I might know that 5 min kms are my race pace, but the first 5km of a course might be up hill, this will therefore be shown as a harder percieved effort but the excitment of a race might mask these signals, but the HR will display a higher heart rate. Therefore I listen to the HRM, pull back the pace a bit and let it drop, saving the "matches" for later on..

So training withe a HRM is useful both in terms of training in the right zones but also it gives me a tonne of data telling me what my HR should be doing come race day.

Unfortunately there are other factors that influence HR on any given day, I might be under the weather, fatigued or in fact far more rested than usual throwing the numbers off, but it is definitely useful...

I'd put HR data aboved percieved effort. Which is why I like to have it.

On the last point. This is why you need power data.

T-V, I think you're doing it the right way, fwiw.

For cycling I find it very difficult to get sensory feedback, and so often slack off, but running allows a greater sense of visceral feedback and I find that music, gps watches/trackers just distract me, and then I get upset/ stroppy/ sprint/ stop.

In an ideal world I'd get a gps tracker in my shoe, and a tiny HRM, which I could download the data off at the end of the run.
Because I'm competitive by nature, not for training gains.

You're right of course. But I'll hold my hand up and admitt I love the gadgets, and the data crunching as much as the actual running. If it keeps my interest up. I dont mind spending money on it.

Apologies for introducing smoking talk into the running thread, was merely an off-hand comment that spiraled a bit.
Fuck snus and vaping, just a band aid over the actual problem. Taking the 5th Element approach which has worked for a few mates - taking 3 roll ups with 2 filters in each with me to work in an attempt to ween myself onto cold turkey.

End of discussion from me.

I find it relavent. Because running is the one thing that gets me to quit.