Why is my HR so high on easy runs?

What pace are you running?

Without more info, I’m only guessing here but based on my experience it could be the following:
1) It’s getting warmer outside quickly. Heart rate will get elevated more quickly in hotter temperatures.
2) The more likely culprit, though, in my opinion, is you may not have spent a ton of time training in an aerobic zone as opposed to an anaerobic zone. I remember when I started HR monitor training, what felt like an “easy” pace was actually not slow enough. I was just so used to running at about 80% of my max HR that I didn’t realize how much I had to slow down to stay in that <70% aerobic zone. Once you start spending more time in the aerobic zone, after a few months, you will notice that it takes a lot more effort to get your heart rate elevated.

I’d try jogging slower than you are - maybe by as much as 30 seconds to a minute per mile. Spend most of your training in that zone with one interval/anaerobic run per week. See if that helps. Just my guess.

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8:45-9:00 easy pace

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That's not that slow of you just started.

2 months of grinding it out in zone 2. You may not want to admit it, but your body is out of shape. When I restart, I have to go so slow that I can walk faster. Suck up your pride and commit to zone 2. You will see your speed pick up in month 3.

Zone training was developed for just that. Keeps your heart from overworking in adverse conditions. Had a friend that was a professional triathlete that developed a heart condition from over training in summer months. Switched to heart rate training, and still competes, but at the age group level. Your heart rate increases dramatically with temperature, so you have to slow down. You're still putting in the work.

Also, switch to running a fixed number of minutes, rather than focusing on pace. Much more efficient, and you tend to focus less on having an off day.

Just to add on to what others have said, if your HR monitor is on your wrist, it's unlikely to be as accurate as a chest strap. So if you really want to do HR training, then get a chest strap.

That said, everything others said here I agree with. You are going way too fast. Even if you ran sub 7 in HS, if you are just starting after years off, you need to be running 9-10 minute miles to keep the HR sub 150. I just ran a sub-4 hour marathon in November and had to take a few months off for injury and my pace is closer to 930 to keep it sub 150 in 75+ degree temps.

My Fenix 6x Pro is pretty damn close. I tested it both ways, and did not see a larger enough difference to justify the chest strap.

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How long were you off?

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From running, 2+ years. From what I'd consider competitive level running, 5ish years. I was doing a good bit of cycling (70ish miles per week, long ride of 30 miles) since the beginning of covid though

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What is getting back into it? Daily? Once a week? Twice... more?

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10-15 miles a week, longest run being ~4 miles. All easy pace.

To those asking, I've compared my 245 and my wahoo chest strap and they're pretty close.

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easy pace

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Its not an “easy pace” for your cardiovascular system if your HR is basically at the very upper end of tempo zone, or even above.

It may feel easy on your legs, but oxygen flow would suggest otherwise.

So many variable to this equation, and some of the information you've provide is vague and or subjective. You stated "not overweight at all", "easy pace", prior running you "considered at competitive level", and "cycling". All of these things play into your question but all vary from one person to next so it just seems like your current expectation after 2+years off is just not realistic. Unless you're in your early 20's or just a superior athlete give it 4-6 months and give us an update. you'll probably get better feedback and most likely give others something to think about that may help them at the same time.