Hi NannaShip,

Sounds like you all are experienced and have a good plan, so I could only offer some obvious considerations.  Of course, check your shoes, look into custom orthotics and maybe a motion control variety of options.  Alternate out your running shoes for training/racing and avoid hills. 

Changing running style places pressure on different areas and changes the area of impact, so most of the experts recommend a fore/midfoot landing as opposed to a toe landing. 

Specifically regarding IT band issues, you may find benefit from extra strength training to target the quads, hamstrings and calf muscles.  Some suggest that stretching is beneficial along with running backwards or doing reverse leg motions on an ellipitical.  Anti-inflammatory gels may also be helpful along with increasing antioxidants and adding a Glutamine supplement. 

Hope this helps and best wishes. 

I second Len's recommendations.  Changing form engages systems that you have never used and it can take a long time (longer than you probably think) to build new ones safely.  It's not just a matter of consciously going from back to front foot landing. 

I started from just about "couch," went 4 months purely barefoot before I added Minimalist shoes to my regimen occasionally, then took more than another year of slow building to get to  where I feel like I'm about 100% confident in my form and my body's ability to support my running.  I think I was aided in the fact that I had no  expectations of speed or endurance from previous training.

Barefoot running on hard surfaces in conservatively increasing doses will give your feet and legs good feedback and help you integrate changes into your regular running.  Trust me, it doesn't hurt and is better for feedback than turf.

There are many good sources for "how to" info on transitioning and Natural Running style here and and on other web sites.  I strongly recommend you do your homework. 

I myself gravitate to ward the barefoot end of the spectrum, but I understand that there are benefits to getting off your heels for some folks however it's achieved.