Topics In Speed

AN ASCENT TRACK WORKSHOP

Join Harvard’s Kebba Tolbert for a crash course in all things speed. From the weight room to the track, learn all the core components of consistent and efficient speed development.

Sunday, Oct. 27 | 7-8:30 PM ET | Online

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.

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What to Expect

LEARN TO CONSISTENTLY AND EFFICIENTLY DEVELOP SPEED IN TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES

Intensity Progression

  • The importance of progressing intensity in your speed training

  • ​Navigating difficult choices with different types of athletes

  • Common errors and misconceptions in intensity progression

Balancing the Training Program

  • What training components work well together for the best performance outcomes

  • How general, non-specific training helps your speed development work

  • ​Planning speed training frequency

  • Commonly misunderstood workouts that undermine speed development

Revisiting Acceleration: Some Perspective on Drive Phase Development

  • The intricacies of coaching and evaluating acceleration

  • Are there phases to the acceleration process? 

Race Modeling: How to Put it Together

  • What exactly is race modeling?

  • Is there more than one model?

  • How do we accommodate an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses in race modeling?

  • How to test and train our race model in the sprints

 Speed Development: Core Philosophies and Common Myths

  • An expanded view of speed development

  • Stride length and frequency considerations for speed development

  • How exactly do we develop speed?

  • Important technical landmarks for speed development

  • Understanding concerns over density and volume

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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 90 minutes long, including a Q&A section at the end.