Hi boys and girls,
first off I'm an absolute amateur and only run to lose weight and get back in shape. So if my question to you sounds silly, please forgive me.
Anyway, I used to run in Germany where most of the track surfaces are either clay (the red sand/dirt you see on tennis courts) or proper tartan.
I have never had a problem running on either surface.
So fast forward a few years now and I live in the US and in the town I live there is only one track.
Naturally this is the one I now use. Aside from the fact that I'm out of shape (5"8, 175lbs and some flabbiness) I am having some problems running. The track itself seems to be in an okay shape, I think there is one hole in the top layer and I can see the concrete underneath (I think it's actually road material rather than concrete).
When I run I can smell a strong rubber odor coming from the track that I can only describe as a tire rubber sort of smell and I honestly believe that's what it is. The track itself is pitch black and, the smell is just very distinct that of a car tire. Now when it gets really hot and the sun bakes the surface the smell becomes even stronger and I have problems breathing.
This makes me wonder, is this track safe to use? I don't have any side effects like headaches or any rashes, but the breathing problems are significant when I run or even just walk on it.
Thanks for reading and for your input.