Mitch Thrower has made it his life’s credo to mix business with pleasure. When he started his first business, a guide to student travel, he set up shop in the very jewel – La Jolla -- of the triathlon mecca of San Diego. He rented a couple of rooms in that first office on elegant Prospect Street, which doubled as a modest home. And used that headquarters as a triathlon training center to dash out for swim, bike and run workouts at convenient times during the day. Over the past 17 years, while finishing 17 Ironmans, he sold the student travel biz, bought into Triathlete Magazine and eventually became co-owner and chairman while writing the Starting Lines column at the front of the book, and also co-founded the wildly successful Active.com. A serial entrepreneur who lectures on business at several universities and writes books on entrepreneurship, Thrower exudes energy for his multitasking business interests he says he gets from triathlon training and racing.

Remembering the thrill he got from attending the Multisport School of Champions Triathlon Camps in the 1990s, Thrower decided to host his own triathlon camp and invited fellow entrepreneur-triathletes and pure triathletes of wildly different backgrounds to share his passion for the sport.

Thrower describes his Triathlon Sanctuary this way: “If you were to design an ideal Triathlon Sanctuary, you would need perfect weather, a perfect location, a large support crew to run lead vehicles and sag wagons protecting you on your long bike rides. Throw in some spectacular advice from top triathlete coaches, guidance from professional triathletes and some Olympic swimmers with under water video cameras. You would eat catered meals every day, have a private mechanic and bike-sizing specialists. Then you would surround yourself with some of the most successful businesspersons and enthusiastic triathletes at all levels and dive in and enjoy the party.”

The most recent Triathlon Sanctuary was held March 17-20 in La Jolla. To request an invitation for the September 15-18, 2010 Triathlon Sanctuary, contact www.triathlonsanctuary.com.

All photos in the gallery © Timothy Carlson

Triathlon Sanctuary participants Mitch Thrower, Kyle Frost, Jeff Richie, CEO of NValeo, Ingrid Pearson and Alaina Hee run along the LaJolla shoreline.

Thrower’s home is just a few hundred yards above the famous La Jolla Cove, home to seagulls, pelicans, seals, kayakers, divers, swimmers and sunbathers.

Jeff Richie, Alaina Hee, Kyle Frost, Ingrid Pearson and Mitch Thrower take a quick break to enjoy the waves along La Jolla’s coast.

Ingrid Pearson, member of Triathlon Sanctuary, stretches as one of the waves from a big south swell hits the rocks.

Triathlon Sanctuary mid-day run along Windansea, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Professional triathletes Lewis Elliot, Mark Van Akkeren and Caue Suplicy offer advice and take questions from the campers on the sunny rooftop of Thrower’s La Jolla headquarters.

Lewis Elliott, Mark Van Akkeren, Caue Suplicy and Nate White, UC San Diego MRI specialist, warm up before Mt. Soledad time trial.

The entire Triathlon Sanctuary camp take in the view atop Mt. Soledad after the time trial.

Dirk Aschmoneit, Powerbar Marketing Director and German Ironman pioneer, speaks about sports nutrition and Powerbar products to members of the camp, including Matt Clifford, Caue Suplicy - CEO Suplicy Bikes, and Russ Crabs - CEO and President of SoundView.

Jessi Stensland, former professional triathlete and founder of MovementU lectures to Sanctuary members about core strength and stretching.

Pro Lewis Elliot leads the charge up Palomar Mountain on Thursday.

Brazilian pro Caue Suplicy congratulates Lewis Elliot and countryman and elite triathlete Mauricio Bueno on summiting Mt. Palomar.

Jamie Windrow, former Radio City Music Hall Rockette and current enthusiastic triathlete checks her aerobars after summiting.

The Sanctuary crew poses after summiting Palomar.

Peter Loehfelm, Managing Director of PJ Walter New Media, poses by Smokey the Bear poster after the Palomar climb.

Caue Suplicy and Lewis Elliot have some fun during a 4,000 yard swim workout at Solana Beach Boys and Girls Club.

Mickey Murad, former world-ranker distance swimmer and co-founder of First Wave Swim Academy gives Sanctuary members a demonstration on swim technique and form.

First Wave Swim Academy and videographer Gunnar Granquist films camp members under water to show each swimmer ways to improve technique and form.

Matt Macedo, former top ten Olympic trials swimmer and co-founder of First Wave Swim Academy, points out the nuances of the swim strokes revealed in the video.

Mitch Thrower presents and gives out awards on the final night of the camp.