About this time every year, Norawas reaches out to all its friends who care about the special people who call the Barrancas del Cobre home.
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Tarahumara
A text by Michael Miller, whom Norawas recently welcomed as a board member and treasurer last December.
I do not yet know a great deal about the traditions and daily life of the Raramuri people. I do know that Korima (what I have – you have) has been a way of life for them. Giving without acknowledgement or any expectation of return is fundamental aspect of Korima. This second bit: ‘without any expected return’ is the part that I just can’t seem to fulfill.
I’ve shared a story before about the most memorable conversation I had with Micah. For eight or so miles running in the darkness on a dirt road and then a trail next to Turquoise Lake during the start of the Leadville 100 in 2011 we talked mostly about being a couple of lucky old dudes. How fortunate we were to be there, to be able to run, to see the sun coming up in the Rocky’s, and mostly how blessed we were to be part of this incredible family of people who love to run free. I remember us talking about having times out on a trail we felt so good that we almost felt guilty for hogging way more than our share of the happiness. Then we talked a little about getting older and all the dang little aches and pains too – hey, being happy doesn’t mean we can’t break into grumpy old guy every once in a while…
I took a lot away from that conversation that morning. I may be wrong, as he never shared, but I believed that one of the main reasons he started the (now) UMCB was a way to give back for all the blessings he felt running had given to him. There are so many of us like this, people who have had running transform so many aspects of their lives and given them a happiness and perspective of the world around them they never thought possible. When we have been given all this, we are compelled and greatly desire to give back.
Herein is the problem for me with this Korima ‘without any expectation of return’ thing. I’ve tried to give back, to share what is mine/yours, to help, to support, to respect, to honor, but every time I do so, it ends up bringing so much joy and more happiness to me that I can’t stop myself from knowing it’s coming (therefore expecting the return).
Regardless of this ‘problem’, I’m going to keep to trying.
I’ve shared a story before about the most memorable conversation I had with Micah. For eight or so miles running in the darkness on a dirt road and then a trail next to Turquoise Lake during the start of the Leadville 100 in 2011 we talked mostly about being a couple of lucky old dudes. How fortunate we were to be there, to be able to run, to see the sun coming up in the Rocky’s, and mostly how blessed we were to be part of this incredible family of people who love to run free. I remember us talking about having times out on a trail we felt so good that we almost felt guilty for hogging way more than our share of the happiness. Then we talked a little about getting older and all the dang little aches and pains too – hey, being happy doesn’t mean we can’t break into grumpy old guy every once in a while…
I took a lot away from that conversation that morning. I may be wrong, as he never shared, but I believed that one of the main reasons he started the (now) UMCB was a way to give back for all the blessings he felt running had given to him. There are so many of us like this, people who have had running transform so many aspects of their lives and given them a happiness and perspective of the world around them they never thought possible. When we have been given all this, we are compelled and greatly desire to give back.
Herein is the problem for me with this Korima ‘without any expectation of return’ thing. I’ve tried to give back, to share what is mine/yours, to help, to support, to respect, to honor, but every time I do so, it ends up bringing so much joy and more happiness to me that I can’t stop myself from knowing it’s coming (therefore expecting the return).
Regardless of this ‘problem’, I’m going to keep to trying.
Thanks to your generous contributions, we were able to provide in excess of $25,000 directly in the hands of our friends who need it. Norawas operates 100% through volunteer work and pays no personal expenses of any kind, so the entire dollar you donate finds its way to where you intended it to go. This is our commitment to true Korima, the circle of sharing at the heart of the Raramuri culture.
As UMCB 2014 approaches quickly, we need your help to raise the needed funds to support our actions in the Canyons. Each year, more and more Raramuri run the race, thus more food vouchers are needed as rewards.
The good news is, Norawas has many generous friends. To add excitement to this campaign, some of our contributors and board members have graciously offered amazing prizes for our donators. So if you can, please show us some support, and perhaps snatch one of these amazing rewards :
- Every donation, from as little as $20, provides an entry into a raffle for an exclusive signed copy of the book Born to Run, autographed by author Christopher McDougall, Caballo Blanco, Scott Jurek and Barefoot Ted. There are only a handful of those in the whole world; this is the ultimate collector's item.
- For every donation of 25$, you will get an Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco Buff and official race sticker.
- Donations of $100 get the above rewards, plus a genuine Raramuri craft made in the Canyons by local artisans.
- The first 3 persons to give $250 will get a race buff, a sticker and a pair of Luna Sandals of their choice.
- The first three $500 donations will be rewarded with a race buff and sticker, plus a full entry into one of the most exciting ultra running events in the year, the Born To Run Ultra Marathons. Winners get to pick the distance of their choice.
- The first person to contribute $1,000 will get a race buff and sticker, plus a full entry into the Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco, a reserved seat at the opening ceremony, a signed copy of the official race poster and an exclusive running action photograph by Luis Escobar.
- The lucky contributor who first donates $2,500 will get their hands on an amazing prize; an ultra runner dream package of a race buff and sticker, a pair of Luna Sandals of their choice, a full entry for the distance of their choice at the Born to Run Ultra Marathons, a full entry at Ultra Marathon Caballo Blanco, two reserved seats at the opening ceremony, a signed copy of the official race poster and an exclusive running action photograph by Luis Escobar.
Please help us make this a true grassroots, organic campaign by spreading the message. We have chosen not to resort to crowd funding sites because that would mean reducing your contributions by 5% to 10% to pay operation fees. We prefer aiming for 100% Korima!
We sincerely thank you in advance for your support, and we hope to see you in the Canyons!