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Explain the lactate threshold as you would to a capable student, in 3-4 sentences.

The lactate threshold is the exercise intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate in your blood faster than your body can clear it away. Below this threshold, your muscles produce lactate during exercise, but your body efficiently removes it, keeping levels stable. Once you cross this threshold—typically around 50-85% of your maximum effort depending on fitness level—lactate builds up quickly, hydrogen ions accumulate, and you'll feel that burning sensation and fatigue that forces you to slow down. Training can actually raise your lactate threshold, allowing you to sustain higher intensities for longer periods.