Thorough training for your Kilimanjaro climb will mean that you are more likely to enjoy the journey than it just being a hard slog! Reaching Uhuru Peak is well within reach of most people with normal fitness levels, but the more physically fit and prepared you are the better chance you stand of acclimatising well and achieving your goal of standing on the highest free standing mountain in the world.
Running, cycling and swimming are great for training your aerobic fitness, but there is only really one thing that prepares you for trekking and that is walking, particularly up and down hills which strengthens and hardens your leg muscles ready for your Kilimanjaro challenge. Weekends spent walking up your nearest hills really is the ideal training.
Try to start your training programme at least 8 weeks before departure to give yourself a chance to build up stamina, strength and fitness. Also, vary your aerobic regime so that you remain motivated. Generally, you should be targeting yourself to be able to walk between 4-6 hours a day whilst carrying at least a 7kg backpack, this will also get you used to carrying a backpack. It is important to ensure that you correctly adjust your backpack to prevent rubbing that will cause soreness.