Try wearing thin socks and running on the treadmill? Like everyone said start slow and with low mileage and really ease into it, especially if you're a heel striker. I've taken Christopher McDougall's (Born to Run) clinics on barefoot running and contrary to popular belief, your feet should get softer, not hard and calloused. Having taken many different classes and doing research on running, I like to tell people that I don't necessarily promote or suggest barefoot or even minimalist running, but rather natural form running. I also don't like to say any one shoe is better than another or "you should buy Nike 'cause that's what I wear." I do tell people to check out Newton - I believe they will be at the expo. I've been running exclusively in their shoes for several years without any injuries, blisters, black toenails, etc. (knock on wood). There is a period of adjustment needed for the shoes, but they do have different models, some geared for transitioning runners.