Well, I did it. A scant six-ish weeks of training, but I completed my third 13.1-mile trek in my Sprint Five Fingers. My score wasn’t spectacular at 2:20, but how I feel just two short days after tells me everything I need to know.

I’m ready to get serious now. The little parts that always hurt the most, my shins, my inner ankle and the sides of my thighs, only ache now instead of cause pain. I’m not limping like I did when I ran ten miles almost two weeks ago. I didn’t almost pass out and I don’t have any rashes or blisters or anything of the sort.

I ran a race and now I don’t hurt. No more ITBS issues, no foot pain that required use of the golf ball and no horrific tightness in any muscle. Sure, Katie did rub my calves a bit a few hours after my run, it didn’t take much to get my few bumps out.

And then it occurred to me: I’d done it. After a year of running and racing, a year of explaining to people about my weird shoes and then fretting about wearing them on interviews and a year spent retooling my running form, I’d finally done it. I was now just as capable as I ever was in regular shoes and my ceiling for performance is now much, much higher.

So now you know. If you’re looking to switch from regular shoes to Five Fingers, it will take about a year to be able to compete at the same level as you’re currently at in shoes as long as you’re not in super, tip-top shape already. I’d like to say it takes less time than that, but I know I have a ways to go to improve my all-around health, and that should be counted as part of the transition.

Next on my list is the Paleo diet, along with some Cross Fit training to lose fat, increase muscle and improve my endurance. Next goal is Ironman 2012.

In November. That’s 2.4 miles swimming, 112 miles biking and 26.2 miles running, all except the swimming portion in some model of Five Fingers. I’d like to say I’ll be using the Bikilas, but I’ve hated them quite recently. Perhaps it’s time for a totally new pair.

Any recommendations?