This Sunday, more than 40,000 runners will take part in the ING New York City Marathon. Freed Chilean miner Edison Pena -- along with TODAY's own Al Roker and Meredith Vieira -- will be hitting the streets as well, all of them running the race for the first time. (Click here to see how the athletes are feeling before the big race.)

TODAYshow.com had to dash fast to catch up with Meredith and Al, but we did manage to get a peek into the making of their marathon debuts.

Q: Why run a marathon? Has this been a lifelong dream?

Meredith: I've always wanted to run a marathon. I've been a "runner" for years and years. Nothing more than six miles. But it was really Al who inspired me. When Al said he was going to do it, it triggered it in me. I said I've been talking about doing it forever. I'll just do it with him. It will be fun to run with him.

Al: Actually, no. And for the life of me, I have no idea why [I'm doing it]. I started running for fitness, and my trainer/nutritionist guided me into it.

Q: What's been the hardest part about training?

Meredith: Doing all of these runs by myself. They're really boring. I did a 20-mile run with the trainer [in preparation]. It was easier than I thought -- but it wasn't easy. My ankles were killing me by the end! I was worried I couldn't do it.

Al: The time it takes to train. As you increase your mileage, it takes longer and longer. It is a big chunk of time.

Q: What do you tell viewers who say, 'I can't do that!'?

Meredith: You can do anything you put your mind to. The thing about a marathon is if you're not running for time, and you look at is as having a good time, anyone can do it. You walk and run it. Every 10 minures or so you're walking to rehydrate or take in nutrition. It's not like I'm not running a five-minute mile!

Al: I don't tell viewers anything. They need to make their own decisions. I'm the last person to be giving advice. And, by the way, I haven't actually run the thing yet.

Q: What's the first thing you'll do after you finish?

Meredith: I think probably a stiff drink. No, but seriously, I'm going to hug my husband. He'll be at the finish line waiting for me.

Al: Collapse.

Q: What can TODAY viewers do to help?

Meredith: Just pray for me.

Al: I am running to raise money for Calvary Hospital in The Bronx. They are a pure palliative care/hospice facility. My dad spent his last days there, dying from lung cancer and the people there do God's work on Earth. I'd appreciate if folks went to www.crowdrise.com/alroker to donate whatever to help me raise money.

Post your good-luck wishes for the runners in the comments below this morning's video!

On Monday, Spencer and Heidi Pratt, former stars of the reality show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" were interviewed by Al Roker on TODAY. Al grilled the couple about their behavior on the show, and repeatedly asked Heidi if she was proud of herself. After the show, Heidi took to the airwaves, appearing on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, telling him that Al was "rude" and spoke to her "aggressively and meanly." What do you think? Did Al go too far or was he just trying to get the answers? Share your thoughts!