Training for Houston Marathon: Coach Kallup's Complete Shoe Rotation for a 2:32 Goal

by Coach Kallup

Training for Houston Marathon: Coach Kallup's Complete Shoe Rotation for a 2:32 Goal

What's up y’all? Coach Kallup here. Fresh off m run across the USA, I'm now laser-focused on a new challenge: breaking 2:32 at the Houston Marathon in January 2026. Today, I am going to share my current shoe rotation that I'm using to train.

The Workhorse: Nike Vomero 18

The Nike Vomero 18 is my Swiss Army knife of running shoes. I rotate these into three key workout types. First, they're my go-to for strides—those short acceleration bursts that build speed without accumulating fatigue. Second, they handle the bulk of my easy runs, providing the cushioning I need for recovery miles. Third, and this surprises some people, I'll use them for tempo sessions when I want a more grounded feel.

The versatility of the Vomero 18 makes it one of the best marathon training shoes for runners who want one pair to do multiple jobs.

The Recovery Specialist: Brooks Ghost 16

Next we have the Brooks Ghost 16. I know this is not the most aesthetically pleasing shoe, but it does the job on easy runs and recovery runs. But when you're logging 80-100 mile weeks, aesthetics take a back seat to functionality.

Finding the best shoes to run long distance means understanding that not every run should feel the same. The Ghost 16 keeps my easy days truly easy, which is crucial for absorbing the hard training ahead.

The Speed Demon: Nike Zoom Fly 6

When it's time to work, I lace up the Nike Zoom Fly 6. This carbon-plated shoe is my weapon of choice for my speed work – threshold runs, interval sessions, and long run workouts.

The carbon plate provides propulsion without the extreme stack height of super shoes. This gives me race-day speed in training while still building the strength and resilience I need. When training for Houston marathon speeds, I need to practice running fast efficiently—and the Zoom Fly 6 delivers exactly that sensation.

The Secret Weapon: Kane Footwear Revive Recovery Shoe

The Kane Footwear Revive recovery shoe has become such a staple that I probably wear it more than I should (no regrets).

After every single workout—long runs, easy runs, speed work—these go straight on my feet. The deep cushioning and rocker design help accelerate my recovery and reduce soreness.

Why Shoe Rotation Matters for Marathon Training

Running the same shoe every day is like eating the same meal for every workout. Your body needs variety, and so do your feet.

Different shoes stress your muscles, tendons, and joints in slightly different ways. Rotating my shoes helps reduce my risk of injury while keeping my legs fresh. Each shoe serves its own unique purpose in my training plan.

The best marathon training shoes are about finding the right rotation that supports every aspect of your training.

The Road to Houston

This shoe rotation is dialed in, and now it's all about executing the training plan. Every run, every workout, every recovery session is a step toward that Houston Marathon starting line.

If you want to follow my complete journey to 2:32, check out my YouTube series where I'm documenting every high, low, and lesson learned along the way.

Let's get after it. Houston, I'm coming for you.