So, suuntousa did respond to my email after 2 days. Their reply is as follows.
"In this case you could try a so called hard reset, that is taking out
the battery from the watch and then re-entering it. Your logs will not
be lost but you have to reset the time and date. If this does not help
you may call SuuntoUSA for assistance on the phone."
This suggestion seemed to work fine until I realized that now my watch (wrist computer) now thinks that my town is at 8800ft alt. (about 2700 actual) and that I have suddenly moved to Mexico where the temp is now 126 F. (about 68 F actual).
Well after trying all the settings the watch provides to reset or calibrate I was still unsucessful in convincing the watch of my current surroundings.
Lucky for me
Suunto did refer me to a phone number for tech support at suuntousa Ph #1-800-543-9124.
Unlucky for me per
Suunto's slogan "Replacing Luck" I was left on hold in their phone queue for over 30min. After my wait of listening to the same message over and over again referring me to their speedy electronic support solutions an seeming uninterested support tech. walked me through all the same settings I had already tried. The conclusion made by this tech was that the watch must have a defective sensor (even though it wasn't defective before the recommended "so called hard reset". Their solution call my reseller and have a nice day.
SUUNTOWATCHES.com to the rescue
Kudos to Trevor who answered the phone in no time flat (<30sec.)
Now my replacement is enroute and should arrive before my next running race.
Before this I was beginning to wonder why I just didn't by the Polar 6xx or 7xx series HRM instead.
Thanks to Trevor I'm giving
Suunto a second chance.
I truly love good customer support for a product, I just find it tragic when said good support comes from the reseller and not the manufacture.