lactate

Definition

What happens when your muscles get tired of waiting for oxygen and start producing their own sour battery acid, also known as lactic acid (though technically it's lactate in your bloodstream). This delightful byproduct is what makes your legs feel like they're filled with concrete during intense exercise. Despite its bad reputation, lactate is actually a fuel source your body can use, so it's not the villain everyone makes it out to be.

Example Usage

Around mile 20 of the marathon, my quads started to lactate so aggressively I could practically taste the acid building up in my muscles.

Source: Exercise physiology terminology

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