Should I quit my job to pursue a career in running?

Read Bob Hodges book "Tales of the Times." You’re better off keeping your job and view running as a hobby.

I've been reading the responses. Has anyone suggested that you do devote yourself to running full time?

I did my running in the 70s and 80s. Almost all of my teammates and competitors haven't run or raced in years. When I talk with them, they nearly always say they wish thay had run more. No one ever says "Gee, I sure wished I'd spent more time working."

I'd encourage you to try and find out. You'll find some support. Work, in some form, will still be there.

I would advise you to follow YOUR dreams.

But...

I would argue that "being on of the top 50 distance runner in the world" - is actually NOT your dream.

Or rather, it's a dream you share with at least 1,000,000 other people. (Some are much more talented).

So, if you want to run for a living....

Fastest is not going to work.

My personal thought is that the artistic, meditative and spiritual aspects of running are completely over-looked.

This is what I would pursue if I wanted to "go professional" with my hobby.

Become a shoetuber. Start a sub 3 hour series while you train. Recieve influencer bibs

Enjoy that three, possibly four figure income you might earn!

or being a pacer/rabbit

Is this in retrospect? Youve just quit your job, moved into Mom and Dads basement, and they are giving you funny looks as you grin back at them with feigned confidence. Anyway, of course you shoulddo that, as long as you are single, and have a plan for your forties that involves returning to McDonalds or the Running Shoe Remainder store.

But just think of all the nice job offers he will get when he brings his medals and T-shirts to his job interviews.

Keep the full-time job and be the local road race hero. Around Boston, with those times, you should be able to pick up few hundred bucks a month on the roads. Hit the indoor scene hard to chase PRs in the winter, and then race the roads the rest of the year. The money you win won't add up to much, but should be enough to pay for some fun nights out and shoes and gas driving to the various races. And if you're single, the ladies are into fast guys.