#35 - Lactate Threshold Training: How to Stop the Huff and Puff

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man trail running in a mountain meadow

Lactate threshold? What the cheeseballs is that? And why are outdoor athletes so obsessed with it?

Well, if you ever wanted to hike faster and climb harder without gasping for breath, finding out your lactate threshold heart rate could be the breakthrough you've been looking for.

In today's episode, you'll learn what your lactate threshold is, how to find yours with a simple field test, and how to use it to train smarter, not harder.

Ready? Let's do this.

Links/Resources Mentioned

Episode Sneak Peek

  • [5:11] What is lactate, and why are endurance athletes always freaking out about it? Common myths about lactate. What really causes your muscles to burn.

  • [6:40] The relationship of lactate to metabolism and energy systems. Why exercising harder has a cost. What happens to the body when exercising at lactate threshold intensity. The many names for lactate threshold.

  • [11:05] Three ways you can test your lactate threshold, including one super practical field test that costs nothing.

  • [15:05] Two lactate threshold training workouts that can help you hike harder without huffing and puffing. Tempo workouts explained. How to structure an interval workout. How often to do lactate threshold training.

  • [19:15] The relationship between lactate, metabolism, and pacing. How to use your breath to pace yourself. What to do at high altitude when it’s hard to stay in aerobic metabolism.