Tried running with no socks today and got a blister :(

"is there really any sure fire way to avoid blisters when starting to run without socks?"  

No. But there are things you can do to lessen the chances of getting a blister. First is shoe selection -- smooth fabrics, few if any seams, good venitaltion. Also applying Body Glide or Vaseline to any "hot spots" will help a lot. And work up slowly. 

"Any thing i can do to prevent blisters from ever happening?"

Don't run... Even in socks, there's no guarantee that you'll never get a blister. But if you allow your feet to adapt slowly, you'll develop the tough skin to combat blisters.

Think of running a file against your thumb. If you run it really hard, or for a long time on the first day, you'll file right through the skin. But if you take one light pass on the first day, then maybe two on the second, and so on, eventually you'll have a callus there that'll take that file long and hard without breaking the skin.

I converted to sockless running for tri's this year and even did my HIM last weekend without socks.  It does take some feet hardening, and I did suffer some blisters when I first started (mostly on the inside/top of arch and top of toes for me). Body glide helps A LOT for me, I take the thing out of the tube and rub it in the areas of the shoe I know I get hot spots.  I also put some "NuSkin" over those spots I expected to get "hot"...and I just built up calluses.  Having the right shoe helps, and different shoes rub me differently.  Experimenting is the only way to get it there...plus, the shoes conform some to your feet as well...so if you've got an old pair that you've always worn socks in, they fit your feet as if you wore socks, so that could cause some different rubbing as well. 

I have truly enjoyed going sockless for the distances I have and they have helped me knock out some fast transitions.  Granted, my shoes smell A LOT more than they have when I wear socks, but I'll live with that.

Good luck.

When the cold weather ends here in the spring, I put away my socks. Don't wear socks at all with any shoes unless you have to - like for work. Going without socks as much as possible helps the feet adjust to being able to run without socks. While going sockless over the summer, don't wear flip flops or sandals - wear an old pair of running shoes.

Blisters can happen even with socks - especially on longer runs. Bodyglide on blister prone spots. I've also found that rubbing antiperspirant on the feet can help by keeping the feet dryer.

so here is my question about learning to train in them.....

how do i specifically train?   what i mean is this....i usually run 3-4 times a week of 6-8 miles each run.   today i stopped at 2.5 because the blister.   how should i run the rest of the week? continue to wear no socks?   i don't want to lost mileage, but blisters suck too.

any suggestions on training with blisters?   got the Body Glide and will use it.   how should i continue to train with it?

Start your run not wearing socks, but carry them. At 1.5 miles, stop and put the socks on. Then finish the run.

Slowly extend the distance run without the socks.

well i just looked at the heel of the shoe where i got the blister and it's either a small defect or the shoe breaking down.  the other shoe doesn't have the same small piece sticking out that caused the blister.

also, the blister has poped.  anything i need to do to it to make it a bit more comfortable?

 Put some moleskin on the blister and you should be good to go. Your shoes probably are a bit defective. I've noticed that they rarely are a mirror copy of each other. Worst I've seen was a pair of NB I bought many years back, one shoe was actually 1/2 taller on the right side by my ankle. I took them back for an exchange. Double check your shoes before you leave the store for any possible trouble spots.

 Breaking your feet in for running sockless, all the above have given excellent advice. Another thing is to incorporate a 1.5 mile sockless brick run after your next bike ride. Build from there.

Gee, I must have missed where one of the previous dozen or so posters gave the correct advice, so let me throw it out there:
HTFU!

Y'all may now proceed with the ancillary foolishness.

I started tris this year, but I was lucky I did have relatively new shoes on the run and on the bike was surprised that my cycling shoes did not cause me any trouble. I have run a number of marathons and come to the conclusion that I will almost always be hurting more aerobically than anywhere physically. Blisters don't bother me until after the race; as I lick my wounds.  I have had some serious blisters (in particular during my first marathon when I was wearing my shoes for the second time and committing a cardinal sin).

Oops pengy-my goodness, surely you committed the same cardinal sin - never go long in new shoes! 

ok, another run today sockless....went alot better.

first off, i believe my Nike Vomero shoes are shot.   i put them on with socks and that place that rubbed the blister on my right heel was poking right into my heel again.  i couldn't even walk a few steps without it stabbing my heel.   so i wore my spare pair of Asics Kayano instead.

i started out without socks but took a pair along with the intentions of putting them on after a couple miles if i felt excessive rubbing.   i also put alot of body glide on areas i thought would be hot spots for irritaion.  

after 2 miles, everything felt great so i continued on.   when i got home after a 6 mile run, i pulled off the shoes to find a small blister starting to form just beside the current blister i have.  i didn't notice this new one and it's not even sensitive.  i survived my first full run without socks.

so my question is, could my Nike shoes need replacing after just 200'ish miles?   no doubt there is something in the right shoe heel that sticks out and irritates my foot.

also, should i just continue to run without socks like i did today or be more cautious and wear socks a bit more often and ease my feet into sockless running?

i also think i'm going to buy a pair of the Zoot Ultra TT shoes to have for my next pair and save the Kayano for my spare.