Tom Brough, a Financial Advisor, is the President of Brough Investment Advisors, a Chicago-based investment firm he established in 2009. He is also a Hedge Fund manager and a licensed Life Insurance agent.

He is also a runner who has completed three Bank of America Chicago Marathons, who knows that running in, and completing, a marathon is a physically demanding feat, but one that is within the ability of most people.

A marathon is by definition a 26.2-mile foot race, and for runners, it is considered the ultimate event that will test the physical and mental endurance of any runner. For Tom Brough, a Financial Advisor, as for most runners, doing a marathon is all about a personal challenge. There are months of training involved before you are ready to take on those 26.2 miles, he says, and so it's a good idea to keep reminding yourself about that personal challenge, especially once the race has begun and you're out there on the route.

Tom Brough, a Financial Advisor, says you should always consult with your doctor before you commit to running a marathon. But once you've got the green light then you must commit to the marathon one hundred percent. He says that while there are months of training involved before race day, it is best if you have been running for a year or more before you seriously consider entering a marathon. It's a common pitfall for new marathon runners to add too much mileage too fast as the prepare for the marathon. But if you already have a year or more's worth of base mileage then it will work to your advantage.
He says that it's a good idea to run shorter races while you train, such as five or ten kilometers, or even a half marathon. These will give you a better sense of what a full marathon is going to be like, and completing the shorter distances will be a great boost to your psyche, too.

Staying properly hydrated is one of the most important factors in completing a marathon. Organized marathons usually have plenty of aid stations along the way and Tom Brough, a Financial Advisor, says to use them. But he cautions that you won't have that during training, and recommends using a hydration pack or carrying your own water then.

When it is finally race day, he says to know that you have properly trained and are ready. Break through the inevitable wall, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and have some fun along the way.