to trek or not to trek : Peru Alpamayo

Ok adventure travelers....I need your help. I've been invited to join a group trek in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru to the Alpamayo base camp (8-9 day trek). I've done a fair share of traveling but it's been awhile and I've never done a multi day trek. I camp and hike but never in altitude - in fact I've spent most of my life living only a few feet above sea level. I'd be joining a group of experienced trekkers who are quite fit, and alas, I am not.

Any advice about combating altitude? (we have 2 days acclimization planned before trek).
Advice for getting in shape for trekking ? (I would have a solid 3 months to train - my usual exercise is swimming and hiking, good enough?)

I'm wondering if I am crazy to even consider this as I have visions of puking my way through Peru, and riding on the back of a burro with a foreign speaking porter down the side of the Mt and paying top dollar to do so. (although I suppose that would be an adventure unto itself, right?)

If anyone has any exeperience with this trek or a similar one, please let me know - I haven't found many travelogues about this trek.

Thanks!

Remember that life equals to one.

Three months is plenty, i will take the invitation as an opportunity. where else will you be if you won't come?

Train your self intensively on the first two or three weeks. The rest, train moderately. Walk Walk WAlk a lot

Thanks for the encouragement, this is why I come to bna for advice I just booked the trip.
I can't think of a better excuse to get in shape. Time to hit the gym...

I would find a good set of stairs, minimum 100 steps, preferably more and practice jogging, not walking up and down them 5 or 6 days a week. not just once up and down but 3 to 6 times. the first week your legs will be killing you you will be so stiff, but you will be real happy you did. That altitude and lack of oxygen is a real challenge. Try thinking of it like this, when you are jogging up the stairs, as you get near the top, are your legs screaming at you to stop. Now imagine what it would be like with half the oxygen in the air. going to be tougher, so what you have to do is build up the capactiy of your legs to oxygenate themselves by really getting in shape. And you do this and you will have a lot of fun.

I have a friend who did the hike, didn't get fit enough before hand and didn't have enough time aclimatizing and was very ill. Take the advice you are given and get ready for this hard trip.
Best of luck
Jean