assistant: You're in a good spot — 25 mi/wk is solid base mileage for marathon training, and all the shoes in my data under $150 are cushioned daily trainers. At your weight and neutral pronation, you have flexibility across the lineup. For marathon training specifically, I'd lean toward shoes that balance cushioning with smooth transitions and durability — you'll rack up 300+ miles in training alone. Here are my top three: **New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5** — $145 The Run Testers calls it "really good value all rounder" with a plush, flowy feel that handles both easy runs and tempo work. Run Moore notes it's "poppy" for a daily trainer, which helps on those harder sessions during build-up. The 38/32mm stack gives you cushioning without feeling sluggish, and the wide forefoot fit is reliable. **Saucony Endorphin Azura v1** — $150 Doctors of Running rates this "excellent" — it's built on the same last as the Endorphin Elite 1 racer, so it has a firm bounce and good energy return. That matters for marathon training: you get responsiveness on tempo runs without sacrificing cushioning on long runs. At the top of your budget but worth it if you want a shoe that grows with your fitness. **New Balance 880 v15** — $140 The firmest of the three, with an aggressive rocker that smooths your stride over distance. Doctors of Running highlights its "excellent stability for a neutral shoe" — even though you're neutral, that structured platform and forward geometry reduce late-stance fatigue on 18+ mile runs. Best if you want a workhorse that doesn't demand much from your legs. One quick question: are you planning to do any speed work (tempo runs, intervals) during training, or mostly easy runs + one long run per week? That'd help me dial in whether you lean Rebel (more responsive) or 880 (more protective).

assistant: The **Nike Pegasus 42** is a reasonable choice for you — it's a proven daily trainer with solid cushioning (38/28mm stack) and a smooth, moderate rocker that handles marathon training well. The ReactX foam + full-length Air Zoom give you responsive bounce without feeling harsh, and at $145 it's right at your original budget. That said, expert reception is mixed. The Pegasus 42 rides firmer and more responsive than some competitors, which is great for tempo work but can feel a touch stiff on easy recovery runs if you're sensitive to that. It's a safe, familiar choice — millions of runners train marathons in Pegasus shoes — but not a standout. The catch: **I only have one shoe under $130 in my current data** — the Pegasus 42 itself at $145. The other trainers I mentioned (Endorphin Azura, 880 v15) are at or above your original $150 budget, so they don't qualify for a sub-$130 search. If you want to stick with the Pegasus 42 at $145, it'll serve you well for marathon training. If you want to hunt under $130, I'd need to know: are you open to other brands, or are you specifically looking for Nike? And would you consider a slightly older version of a shoe if it's discounted — or do you prefer current-season models?