On monday went with my buddy to the lot near his house. It was deserted and not dangerous, and we checked with a nearby baseball game that they wouldn't mind.
I would go from the back of the lot towards the access road, which was used for runoff and slowing down. All I needed to do was get to the top of first gear.
My buddy used his phone as a timer and turned it like it was the 1 board, and swung a rag as the flag.
Worked great, and I got a lot better. My technique really just wasn't right at all, I needed to roll into the throttle more as I modulated the clutch, to prevent bogging.
As I got quicker it did get a little hairy with the tires being cold though
Hopefully I can do what I did towards the end of Monday's session this weekend and I will have a chance at some 1sts.