To put one's life on hold, and worse, expect others to go with you, and support you, for such goals, is unrealistic at best. Frankly, if the OP could run 2:25 in the situation he described, he could probably run 2:27 while working full time, building a career, and preparing himself to be a husband and father. In the end, he'll be much more proud of the latter option.[/quote]
Its not everyone's dream to build a career and be a husband and father. Some people are perfectly happy working for the sole purpose of having money to spend on their personal goals. He may never be an elite runner, but who are you to tell him what to do with his life?
The way i read it, he wants to live in a house with a few other like minded individuals, work to pay for the necessities, and enjoy his life the way he wants to, not the way he has been told to.
You might gain your joy from climbing the corporate ladder, mortgaging the house with the white picket fence and buying your little offspring whatever they want. Not everyone wants that life.
Don't read this as an angry rant, just a different viewpoint.