Run, Obama, Run!

I walked into the gym today to see the same-o same-o, Michael doing flyes and Betsy doing deadlifts, and oh my god, that guy on the treadmill is Barack Obama.

I put down my bag and immediately got on the neighboring elliptical trainer. Elliptical trainers are kind of dumb, but with the most inspiring presidential candidate since Bill Clinton at my elbow, I could deal. Obama watched TV and listened to an iPod. He looked tired and had that serious expression on his face. I acted like I was working out real hard, whew.

Obama poses with me and two other breathless admirers.

The Illinois senator has the lean physique of his Kenyan forebears and a pretty good running stride, though his footstrike’s a little heavy if you ask me. He finished up on the treadmill and walked across to the stationary bike and then to a Stairmaster, which was on the other side of my elliptical machine. He kept sweating and I kept pretending I wasn’t paying attention.

Hovering around the room were three handsome and muscular black men in workout clothes, which is more black people than I have ever seen in one place in Mill Valley. Probably Secret Service. They went through the motions of hefting iron but their eyes darted this way and that, sizing up everyone who walked through the door.

Two green Chevy Tahoes were parked in the lot and through the glass I could see well-dressed people talking on cellphones. Obama, I have learned since, is in town attending fundraisers and visiting the Google offices down on the Peninsula.

I got wind that the Man might do a photo op when his workout was done. As people arrived for spin class, Obama and his henchmen headed for the exit and I followed right along with my camera. An agent took this photo and I shook the candidate’s hand, which was surprisingly delicate and soft.

I hope that 40 years from now I will show this photo to my grandkids, and that by then the event will have been so thoroughly embellished that I’ll tell them, “Yep, here’s me with my friend Barack Obama. That’s right, the president. This was waaaaay back in 2007. Barack and grandpa had a good workout together that day.”