Running in my undies in West Palm Beach

Inflatable colon was a highlight of last year's Undy 5000.

If you're looking for me on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 2, you can find me running in my boxers on Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

I signed up for the Undy 5000 as part of Team Clematis. The 5K Run/Walk  raises money for the Colon Cancer Alliance. The group provides hope, support and awareness to colon cancer patients and their families, while educating people about the need to be tested early. They are giving out boxers to 5K participants to call attention to the area that colon cancer affects. Hence the name, Undy 5000.

Role of faith

I've had three colonoscopies in my life because my mom had colon cancer in 1980. Her surgeon removed a grapefruit-sized tumor from her large intestine, but he assured her he got it all. She changed her diet, adding more fresh fruit and veggies. The diet change, along with her strong faith in the surgeon, saved her from a relapse. 

When she was diagnosed in 1980, they didn't have the scientific studies to let them know which treatment regime would work for her. In fact, she was asked to participate in a study, designed by the University of Pittsburgh. She was assigned to the control growth that received no chemotherapy or radiation. She survived for another 29 years and died from another cause.

@AGuyOnClematis (Aaron Wormus) and
daughter Annie in last year's Undy 5000.

Join our team

Team Clematis needs your help. Please join our team and help spread the word about this less-mentioned but sometimes deadly cancer. It develops with few symptoms, warning signs can include bloody stools, constipation or others.

Walking or not, please come to our money-raiser tweetup later in January at Field of Greens' brand spanking new location at 412 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Details coming soon.

The food is awesome and healthy, too. We are collecting some fantastic swag to give out as raffle prizes, and there's a rumor that a guitarist will be strumming. It is shaping up to be the social event of the season!

Going to yoga? Bring a can

Famed yoga teacher Priyanka Shanbag is collecting non-perishable items at her Tuesday evening and Saturday morning yoga classes at the Mandel Public Library. The items will go to the Extended Hands Community Outreach food program in West Palm Beach. Items will be collected until the end of January.

And now, for my numbers

I had my best walking day last week on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2013, when I walked:

Steps: 12,631

Miles: 6.3