Spending some time above 8000 the week before can't hurt (and higher is better). There are people we have seen who have hiked every weekend, and that seems to keep them acclimated well enough.
I often tell people that driving directly up to Horseshoe Meadows at 10k and spending the first night by the car is a good idea. There is usually space there, as the rules say people can only stay one night.
