assistant: You're in the build-up phase, not race-day yet, so we want a daily trainer that handles high mileage, protects your heel strike, and won't break down before you hit peak weeks. At 85 kg with a heel-strike pattern, you need solid cushioning and durability—the Rebel v4 and Vomero Plus are both strong, but they serve different purposes in your training. **New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4** is my top pick for your tempo and threshold work during build-up. It's lightweight (210g) with a 6.0 mm drop that suits heel strikers, and Seth James DeMoor notes it has a wider, more stable landing platform than the v3—important for your body weight. The Ginger Runner calls it a "buy" at $139 and specifically praises it for "fast 10K to half marathon efforts." That said, The Ginger Runner flags durability concerns for heavier runners, so this works best as a rotation shoe for your faster sessions, not your entire 25 mi/wk. **Nike Vomero Plus** is your long-run and easy-day anchor. At 43.0/33.0 mm stack with a 10.0 mm drop, it's built for heel strikers and high-mileage protection. It's heavier (281g) but rated for "high miles" durability—exactly what you need for 18-milers and beyond. The soft ZoomX midsole absorbs impact well, though energy return is low (that's fine for recovery and long runs; you don't need propulsion there). **Mount to Coast C1 v1** splits the difference: 42.0/36.0 mm stack, 6.0 mm drop, rated for 500–600 miles. It's positioned as a long-run shoe but works as a daily trainer too. At $180 it's mid-priced and well-regarded, though you'd lose the lightweight speed feel of the Rebel for your faster days. **My recommendation:** Rotate the **Rebel v4** for tempo runs and speed work (where its lightness and responsiveness shine), and the **Vomero Plus** for long runs and easy days (where durability and cushioning matter). This gives you a two-shoe system that covers your 25 mi/wk now and scales through peak weeks. If you want a single workhorse trainer instead, go **Vomero Plus**—it's the safer choice for marathon build-up at your body weight. One clarifying question: are you planning to buy a race shoe later (a carbon-plated super-shoe for April), or are you hoping one of these will pull double duty as your race-day shoe?

assistant: Got it—you're focused on building durability and staying healthy through the marathon build-up, not chasing a time goal. That's the right mindset for your first one. **New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4** stays my pick for your faster sessions and tempo work. At 210g with a 6.0 mm drop and a wider landing platform, it suits your heel strike and body weight better than the v3. The Ginger Runner calls it a "buy" at $139 for "fast 10K to half marathon efforts," though he does flag durability concerns for heavier runners—so use it for tempo days and speed work, not your entire weekly mileage. Seth James DeMoor confirms the wider, more stable base is a real improvement for heel strikers. **Nike Vomero Plus** is your workhorse for long runs and easy days. At 43.0/33.0 mm stack with a 10.0 mm drop, it's built for heel strikers and high-mileage protection. Doctors of Running rates it as their #3/#5 pick and notes it "crushed durability at 100 mi—basically no outsole wear." That's exactly what you need for 18-milers and peak weeks. The ZoomX foam is soft but not spongy; Ben Parkes says it's "firmer and more reactive" than softer alternatives, so you can pick up pace when needed without feeling sluggish. **Mount to Coast C1 v1** is a solid single-shoe alternative if you prefer one workhorse. At 261g with 42.0/36.0 mm stack and 6.0 mm drop, Believe in the Run specifically recommends it for "heavier runners seeking a durable max-cushion trainer for long runs and daily training." The dual-density midsole (Circle Cell foam + rubberized EVA) may feel firmer at first but breaks in over time and gives better energy return as you compress it. The Run Testers praise its "very accommodating fit with a wide toe box"—good for your heel-strike loading. **My recommendation:** Rotate **Rebel v4** (tempo/speed) + **Vomero Plus** (long runs/easy) through your build-up. This two-shoe system protects the Rebel's durability and gives you the right tool for each workout. If you want to keep it simple, **Vomero Plus** alone will get you through safely—it's the more conservative choice for marathon prep. You're in good shape mileage-wise (25 mi/wk now, one 18-miler done). As you ramp toward 50+ mi/wk in peak weeks, the Vomero Plus will be your anchor. No race shoe needed yet—focus on the build-up.