I was pretty stoked late last week when I got an e-mail from the very nice folks over at Honey Stinger to inform me that my application to be part of their grassroots sponsorship program, The Hive, had been accepted.

I guess that means I can call myself an sponsored athlete? Why the hell not!

No, I’m not getting free products or loads of free merchandise with honey comb patterns on it, but I am getting a legit discount on the most delicious energy endurance energy food out there.

To quote Food Network superstar Rachel Ray: “Yum-O!”

I’m a huge fan of honey as it is, and I love it on just about anything: peanut butter sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, ice cream… and the list goes on. Plus, I’m practically part bear, and we naturally gravitate towards honey, duh! Just look at Winnie the Pooh, he couldn’t get enough of the sticky deliciousness.

So, naturally, I just about fell in love the first time that I found a bag of Honey Stinger energy chews in a post-race goodie bag. Now, when it comes to various brands of energy gels, chews and whatnot, I don’t really notice a big difference in the amount of energy that one brand provides over another, but I can say with absolute certainty that nothing tastes half as good as Honey Stinger. I can stomach ‘em all, but let’s just say that I make sure not to take in other gels when I know a race photographer is nearby because I don’t want them to capture my “This tastes so freakin’ gross!” face.

My favorite Honey Stinger product is probably the Gold gels, because it’s simply honey. I can empty a packet of it onto a slice of bread with peanut butter, and my mornal pre-run snack of bread, PB and honey becomes supercharged.

The only problem has been that none of the local stores that sell energy gels and chews carry Honey Stinger, so I’ve kind of been settling for less-than-satisfying gels/chews. But that problem is now solved since I no longer have to look at the S&H charge that accompanies on-line orders and cringe.

So thank you, Honey Stinger. Seriously, I was starting to wonder if any of the places I’ve ever sent in these kind of applications to before even looked at them. I’m excited that I no longer have to worry so much about forking over my money in order to keep myself energized during my training and racing during a year in which I’ve got some pretty ambitious goals.

As a bonus, Honey Stinger is headquartered in one of my favorite places on Eearth - Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Now, I’m just looking forward to my incoming shipment of Honey Stinger Gold gels and, about the only Honey Stinger product I have yet to try, the Honey Waffles. Now THAT sounds like a good pre-run snack… My stomach growls in satisfaction at the thought.