Debating weather to get the Ultra 2

So, last prime day I upgraded to the s9 from my s5 and am really happy with it. I am loving the better battery life and brightness, because I am constantly running and cycling, and I use and enjoy all the features that the s9 SiP gives. I am going to do R2R2R in October, and I need a watch that has better battery life. I debated getting a garmin forerunner, and was willing to consider giving up the stuff I loved that was unique to Apple Watches for the garmin stuff, but when I saw the prices of those, I was like: "I'm good." So, I was hoping my s9 would be able to serve me for as long as my s5 did, but I'd be switching it out after only a little more than a year. The U2 has the s9 SiP, and I'd just be getting my current watch, but on steroids, and that's why I want the U2. I'm in a unique situation, as I qualify for the Apple education store and I have my s9 which qualifies for 150 bucks worth of credit if traded in, so with Apple care and my s9 credit, it'd be ~650 and with the education discount maybe ~550? It's like I leased my flagship watch for like 11 bucks/month. That is, if I trade it in, because i got it for 280. Opinions?