I've been training in a gi for 5 years, I was doing some no gi for 3 years during that time, went full no gi 2 years ago and trained at a high level in Taekwon-Do for 7 years. My nearest 10th planet school is London which is about 300 miles away.
My advice would be to have a good training partner and be prepared to give up your life. When everyone is out doing things that people do we are training. I sold my car to buy mats so I can train more often. Even if it's not a full 2.5 hours. I have a couple mats at my home so if my training partner brings the kids round to play with mine we can go over some techniques.
Don't find excuses to not do something, find excuses to do it. And if things don't go your way first time, don't let that be a set back, let it be a learning curve. If I don't hit my goals by next year, hey ho! Shit happens. I'll be pissed but life can get in the way.
Also do what you're doing on here and talking to likeminded people. Don't lose sight. Always happy to chat.