McLean's Jeff Lutton begins training with canine partner, Josie.

McLean's Jeff Lutton is used to training with his golden retriever, Josie. The former Super League Rugby player, who competes regularly in Triathlons, is usually joined on long runs by his canine companion. Starting this week, however, Josie isn't just running for fun ­ she s training as well, as both Lutton and four-year-old Josie will be participating in the first World Championship Dog Duathlon next summer in New York City.

"Josie and I have been training pretty much all of her life," said Lutton, 38. "We are both pretty excited about it."

Lutton and Josie have just started their preseason training, which consists of running about 15 miles per week. Lutton wakes up at the crack of dawn to fit in training during the week.

"We will do a couple three-mile runs per week and on the weekends we usually go on a trail and hit five or six miles," said Lutton. "We will build that up and probably get to 20-25 mile range." It takes a couple of minutes to coax Josie out of bed in the morning, but by the time the duo hits the pavement, it's Josie that's pushing her two-legged partner.

"Once we get outside, she is ready to go," said Lutton. "Usually, I can keep up with her, but the past couple of runs, she has been pulling me a little bit."

The 20 dualthlon teams compete in a 10 kilometer run as well as a 1,500 meter swim. Partners compete in the event side-by-side.

Lutton and Josie will travel down to the Outer Banks to train for the swimming portion of the event. "My dad lives in the Outer Banks," said Lutton. "When we are down there, it is a great time to train in the open water. You get the skills for water swimming."

Josie will also train by participating in 'doga' ­ a form of canine yoga ­ to stay limber, and receives weekly massages to keep her muscles relaxed.

LUTTON AND JOSIE are not just training partners, they are also business partners. Lutton, along with his wife, Sandy, owns a dog daycare center called Dogtopia in Alexandria. Josie is the Vice President of Dog Relations.

"For dogs to come in here, there is an evaluation process. The dogs need to have some level of sociability," said Lutton. "Josie will 'interview' them to make sure it is a good environment for them."

The two will continue to ramp up their training routine throughout the winter and spring until they are running 20 to 25 miles at a time by the July 20 event.

© The Connection Newspapers 2007