I hear where you’re coming from, but I think there’s a misunderstanding about how bicarb works in training. It doesn’t “do the adaptation for you” it buffers hydrogen ions so you can sustain a given pace for longer before hitting that acidic wall. The acid is there it is just happening at a faster pace or later time. You still produce the lactate, and lactate itself is a signaling molecule for mitochondrial biogenesis, so you’re still getting the aerobic adaptations. The difference is that you can accumulate more quality work at the same relative intensity.
Here is an example I give people that I think helps:
Workout #1:
5 x mile @5:30 with 90 sec rest. Mm of lactate = 3.0 for all 5 and a muscular acidity of 7.0
Workout #2
5 x mile @5:30 with 90 sec rest. Mm of lactate = 3.0 for all 5 and a muscular acidity of 7.2 (less acidic = more comfortable)
The workout is the same, the same millimoles of lactate, but the acidity changes. So you're still getting the same adaptations, but at a more comfortable pace that leaves you less fatigued. So you can either run faster, run further, or turn around and do a quick out, do a workout sooner.
Curious though which specific claims from my reels are you questioning? Always open to clarifying or sharing the research that backs them.