Here I will answer the things you wanted to know during our sessions!
What is lactic acid?
I had wrongly referred to lactic acid as a waste product when it is in fact a compound produced by the body to make energy when glucose is broken down and oxidized.
When exercising at high intensity the need for oxygen can be greater that the body can maintain, so muscles shift from aerobic metabolism, which uses oxygen to create energy, to anaerobic metabolism, which does not. Lactic acid is produced to maintain a steady supply of energy using anaerobic metabolism, as the body can convert the lactate to energy without using oxygen.
However lactic acid can build up in your bloodstream faster than you can burn it off. The point when lactic acid starts to build up is called the ‘lactate threshold’, which is when you start to feel a slight burning sensation or discomfort in your muscles. However this is short lived. When you reduce the intensity of exercise, the lactic acid will dissipate naturally and as you improve your fitness over time, your body will become more efficient at using its primary fuel – oxygen!
With reference to sources from: Runners World, WebMD and Livestrong