[Marley]

Hi all,

I need advice and opinions, please.

If you've been here for a while you know I was a wildland firefighter. Now I'm considering preparing for the CPAT. Except for training, I haven't done structural firefighting (or worn structural gear) in several years.

Pertinent history: I spent nearly a year, until the end of February, sitting on my gluteus maximus at a desk, feeling depressed. I gained weight and lost muscle.

On February 26th I began seriously working out. (Thanks Nat!) I made good progress, and reached the point where I'd be comfortable taking a pack test for wildland firefighting. I did not think I could pass the CPAT at that point.

At the end of May I got sick, and was very sick for over a month. My doctor had me on more drugs than I can count. Several people have told me I should have been hospitalized. I was only able to start seriously working out again two weeks ago. I've lost a lot of progress.

I'm considering taking the CPAT sometime between September and November. The hiring department requires a CPAT card "before appointment", and I don't yet know when the date of appointment would be. Before I put in my application and sign up for the CPAT I wanted to do a reality check.

My strengths: upper body strength, endurance, flexibility, comfortable in confined spaces, damn-fool stubbornness

My weaknesses: aerobic ability, too much fat, depression, age (39)

Neutral: lower body strength

Questions:

1) Am I out of my friggin' mind?

2) Is this possible?

3) How do I tackle my weaknesses while maintaining my strengths?

4) Is September completely unrealistic?

Any other constructive comments are welcome. Thanks in advance for your help (or for just not kicking me when I'm down.)
_________________
Marley
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Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it up. --Henry Ford