assistant: You're in a good place—25 mi/wk is solid base mileage for a first marathon, and neutral pronation opens up the whole trainer lineup. At your weight and volume, you want a shoe with real cushioning that'll hold up through the build and taper without feeling sluggish on easy days. **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1** is the standout here. It's built on Saucony's premium foam and reviewers call it excellent—it's got the cushioning you need, sits right at $150, and will handle your weekly volume without fatigue. The high cushion is ideal for marathon training. **New Balance 880 v15** is a close second. It's slightly lighter (281g vs the Azura's likely higher weight), has an aggressive rocker that smooths out the ride, and reviewers rate it well. The 38/32mm stack gives you real protection. True to size and wide in the forefoot, so fit should be straightforward. **Adidas Supernova Rise v3** is the lightweight alternative if you want something snappier for easy runs—it's the leanest of the three at 264g and still has good cushioning (36/28mm stack). Medium cushioning rather than high, so it's slightly firmer, but it's well-regarded and $140. All three are under your budget and built for daily training. The Azura edges ahead on pure cushioning and reviewer enthusiasm; the 880 offers a slightly bouncier platform; the Supernova is your pick if you prefer a lighter, more responsive feel. **One question:** Are you planning to do your long runs (16–20 mi) in your daily trainer, or do you want a separate max-cushion long-run shoe for those efforts?

assistant: Good news: the **Nike Pegasus 42** at $145 is just slightly over your new $130 budget, but it's a solid choice for marathon training if you can stretch a few dollars. It's your current shoe (10mm drop, 38/28mm stack), so your body already knows the fit and geometry—that familiarity is a real biomechanical advantage during a build. The ReactX foam is medium-cushioned and responsive rather than plush, which means it'll feel snappier on easy days but won't give you the high-cushion protection some runners prefer for long-run volume. For a first marathon on 25 mi/wk, it'll work, but it's leaner than ideal for marathon-specific training. At $130 hard cap, your best option is the **Mizuno Horizon v9**. It's $130 or less depending on retailer, and it's the real winner here: 42/34mm stack (the highest of the group), excellent expert reception, and rated for 300+ miles. The extra cushioning—2mm more heel stack than the Pegasus—makes a meaningful difference over 16–20 mile runs. It's mild-stability rated (you're neutral, so the guide rails won't hurt), true to size, and reviewers praise it as a premium easy-run / recovery shoe. The 8mm drop is 2mm lower than the Pegasus, which is a minor difference but worth noting if you're sensitive to calf loading. **Brooks Adrenaline GTS v25** is also under $130 on sale and has high cushioning (DNA LOFT v3, softer than the Pegasus), but it carries a "mixed reception" label and is rated for mild overpronation—you're neutral, so you don't need the stability. The Horizon is the cleaner pick. **My recommendation:** If you can find the Pegasus 42 on sale closer to $130, stick with it—you know it, and continuity matters. If not, the **Mizuno Horizon v9** is your move. It gives you the cushioning boost you want for marathon training and costs less. Which direction appeals to you—staying familiar with the Pegasus, or upgrading to the Horizon's extra cushioning?