Steve Najera, a Canyon Lake resident and Menifee-based attorney, doesn’t just race triathlons—he uses them as a proving ground for perseverance, preparation, and grit.
Najera recently challenged himself at the Gran Jaguar 70.3 Ultra Triathlon in Flores, Petén, Guatemala. The demanding race is an endurance event set in the Mayan region, featuring a point-to-point course that starts in the former city of Tayazal and finishes near the Great Temple I in Tikal National Park. Participants swim in Lake Petén Itzá, cycle along scenic, hilly roads through national reserves, and run through jungle paths past 2,000 year old Mayan ruins.
The race tested athletes across the classic ultra triathlon distances: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile run. For Najera, the challenge was intensified by unfamiliar terrain, humidity, and jet lag.
Najera’s preparation for the race was relentless. He trained four to five times per week, mixing in marathons to build endurance. As race day approached, his training intensified with triple-brick workouts, tackling swimming, cycling, and running all in one day—often while maintaining a full trial calendar at work.
“The prep is critical,” Najera explained. “Each mile requires proper nutrition and nourishment. If you get it wrong, you gas out.”
Early in the race, adversity struck when Najera scraped his knee while swimming in the lake. Stopping wasn’t an option for Najera. He pushed forward.
Making matters worse, Najera opted to bring his triathlon bike instead of a road bike, a decision that cost him, as unstable steering made the course even more challenging.
“These races teach you perseverance,” Najera said. “They force you to work through pain and discomfort.”
Competing in Guatemala carried deep personal meaning for Najera, who is half Guatemalan and half Jewish. He described the race as competing in his “motherland.”
One of Najera’s proudest moments came at the finish line. His family traveled to Guatemala to watch him compete, including his 19-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, who handed him his medal after he crossed the line.
Najera also trained alongside a fellow employee, who brought his own family to the race. Together, they learned the value of pushing into the unknown and committing fully—lessons that extended far beyond race day.
For Najera, competing in races is more than a sport; it’s a mental framework. These races help him stay decompressed and sharpen skills that directly translate to his professional life as a trial attorney.
“Ultra Triathlons teach you to work through difficult and unpredictable situations,” he explained. “Just like in a trial, you have to figure out a plan and act fast. A mistake can cost a client big time—or in racing, cost you time, nutrition, or even your health. This is not a sport you can just go from couch to a 70.3. Like in life, you need base knowledge, training, and application.”
With Guatemala now behind him, Najera is already looking ahead and preparing to once again test his preparation, adaptability, and perseverance at the coveted Half Ironman competition in Germany in August 2026.
From the Mayan forest to the roads of Europe, one thing remains constant—Najera continues to race not just against the clock, but toward personal growth, discipline, and the challenge of stepping beyond comfort. These skills are transferrable to his professional life and make him be the best for trial work. To learn more about Najera, visit www.NajeraLawGroup.com.
