not much budget really - but maybe santa can help out.

i just started swimming and running as the weather has turned crappy and i'm wondering what i should be doing to officially be "training". i've bookmarked a bunch of sites y'all have mentioned and i've ordered the Triathlon Training Bible by Friel but now i'm here to ask about whether i'd do better to have a hrm for zone training when i run or ride or if i should just get a watch so i can time myself in the pool.

and if i a hrm is the way to go, what are the best values in the <$100 price range?

thanks!

Get a Polar HRM...I think you can get the m32 for around $100. You can also use it to time yourself in the pool if you wish...it's probably water resistant to 30m