SHIFTING INTO COMPETITION MODE FOR SPEED AND POWER ATHLETES

part of the mesocycle workshop series for speed and power athletes

Join Harvard’s Kebba Tolbert for an in-depth look at how to make the transition from specific training to competition mode.

Sunday, November 24 | 7-10PM ET | Online

Or save $150 on the full price of all 7 workshops in our Mesocycle Series when you bundle.

Workshop lead coach

KEBBA TOLBERT

Women’s Associate Head Coach

Harvard University

Kebba Tolbert has been instrumental in the success of Harvard’s track and field program. He has been named Northeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year multiple times in his career; he’s mentored a host of NCAA All-Americans; and he helped Gabby Thomas become the first Ivy League women's sprinter to win an indoor national championship in the 200m, setting a new collegiate record in the process.

  • Under his guidance, athletes like Kelisa Cain, Katina Martin, and Mayi Hughes achieved remarkable milestones, including moving up in the Harvard record books and earning Ivy League titles. Tolbert's group contributed significantly to the team's success, accumulating an impressive 79 points at the Indoor Heps championship.

    In the 2018-2019 campaign, Tolbert's coaching prowess led to historic achievements for the squad. He mentored Simi Fajemisin to Second Team All-America status in the Indoor Triple Jump, marking a milestone as the first All-American from Harvard in the event. Tolbert's guidance also played a crucial role in Harvard's dominance at the Outdoor Ivy League Heptagonal Championships, where the women's team secured first through fifth placements in the 100m Dash, a feat unprecedented in Ivy League history.

    Tolbert's coaching excellence was recognized in 2018 when he was named USTFCCCA Northeast Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, sprinter Gabby Thomas made history as the first Ivy League women's sprinter to win an indoor national championship in the 200m, setting a new collegiate record in the process.

    Throughout his tenure, Tolbert's athletes have consistently achieved remarkable feats, setting school records, earning All-America honors, and dominating conference championships. His commitment to excellence and passion for the sport have made him a driving force behind Harvard's track and field success.

    Prior to his time at Harvard, Tolbert honed his coaching skills at various institutions, including Iowa Wesleyan, Mckendree, Syracuse, Portland State, and UTEP. His extensive coaching experience and track record of success make him a valuable asset to any aspiring track and field athlete seeking to reach their full potential.

    As an alum of Colby College with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a Master of Arts degree in exercise science from Smith, Tolbert brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coaching role. His dedication to the sport and commitment to athlete development make him an invaluable mentor and leader within the track and field community.

What to Expect

LEARN HOW TO MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM SPECIFIC TRAINING TO COMPETITION MODE

  • What does this transition look like?

  • What should we maintain from previous training stages?

  • What should we move on from?

  • How We Think About Competition

  • How do we handle early meets vs. later meets?

  • Sacrifices and compromises we have to make at this time of year.

  • Keeping our eyes on the prize.

  • Timing it Right in the Greater Context

  • How to shift balances and ratios safely and effectively.

  • Variance: What is it, why do we need it, and how do we implement it effectively?

  • Strategies for handling challenges and successes.

  • Common pitfalls in this phase of training.

  • The importance of rest and recovery.

  • How and why you should develop a backup plan (or two).

  • Training Needs at This Time of Year

  • Planned overreaching: What it is and why it’s pivotal in this transitional phase.

  • Holiday breaks: How to plan for these and encourage individual training.

  • Planned peaking: Looking ahead to late-season races.

  • Looking Ahead

Frequently asked questions

Don’t see your question below? Contact us.

  • The workshop will be recorded for all attendees, to be used for reference purposes. Any Ascent Track Workshop content, including but not limited to audio, video, slides, and any associated materials, is subject to copyright and intellectual property rights held by Ascent Track and its authorized licensors. Any unauthorized distribution, reproduction, or dissemination of workshop content, in violation of this prohibition, may result in legal action being taken against the authorized party.

  • We have no plans to do so— though we do plan to run this workshop again for those who cannot make the date.

  • No— but there are discounts available. Sign up for our mailing list for promotion codes and to keep up to date with all the latest Ascent Track offerings. Email info@ascenttrackclinics.com about program rates (3+ people).

  • The workshop is three hours long, including a Q&A section at the end and a break or two in the middle.