+1 for the dream analogy!
Like dreams, there is a good explanation of why you are living your game in slow motion, there is always one thing slowing down everything else. In the case of dreams, it is your brain, that actually dreams faster than your perception. That's why you seem to be slow, because the dream is actually faster than what you perceive.
For StarCraft, this is another problem. I discovered by studying replays that faster players remove one very large part of the time you may take in your game: controlling the army.
As an unexperienced player, you might not be familiar with unit balance. So when sending your 12 zerglings againts those 4 zealots, you don't yet know the outcome. I'm sure you expect some victory, but can you trust this expectation enough to actually leave your zerglings do the work without you?
I often find myself microing too much when dealing with large overpowered army. Yeah, I have 24 zerglings and they meet 1 zealot. Really, no need to micro them, just return and take care of your base!
Your problem may be the same...
Get them into watching replays by Husky or HDStarcaft or Day9 watching the pro level play gives you so much insight! Not to mention that they somehow manage to make it exciting to watch a replay.
Then after you watch a replay, do a custom game and have them try some of the tactics from the video, and you and your friends can both improve your skill at the same time.
Best Answer
There is a tool that was announced on TeamLiquid.net which allows resuming from replays. However, this program does directly interface with SC2 - which is not allowed and might get recognized as hack - and might get you banned.
Check this TL.net thread for more info:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=328785
Also, there are specific maps which allow saving and loading game states which you and a friend can use to test battles and such. Search the custom games for SALT (save and load tool) maps.