This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo

A few years ago Nike came up with a brilliant marketing hook for the Nike+ system: The PowerSong.  It’s that one song that will give you a boost when you need it the most (like when you are running, or shuffle-running as the case may be, into the metaphorical wall).

According to The Nike Running Blog, these are the 10 most popular PowerSongs:
1. Eye of the Tiger
2. Pump it
3. Here it Goes Again
4. Lose Yourself
5. Stronger
6. Till I Collapse
7. SexyBack
8. Remember the Name
9. Gonna Fly Now
10. Move Along

I admit it, #4 is MY PowerSong.  I used to call it my Boston Qualifying Song.  Now I call it my Survive Boston Song.  When my mind is at war with itself (stop, don’t stop, stop, don’t stop, stop and I mean it, no – never) nothing gets me on pace again like Lose Yourself.  The words speak to me and I listen.

Truly, does it get much more motivating than this?

So here I go it’s my shot.
Feet fail me not,
Cause this may be the only opportunity that I got.

 
You need to pick and choose a little, but the lyrics are surprisingly appropriate for marathoning.  The words and the escalating tempo go straight to that motivation centre of my brain.

Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted – One moment
Would you capture it or just let it slip?
…
You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo

Title Reference: Eminem – Lose Yourself. From the soundtrack 8 Mile. 2002.