I live in Phoenix, where I moved a year and a half ago. I've done three HM+ lengths in my full marathon training already, but this will be the first official, organized half-marathon I do and the second organized run I've ever done. If I push this over - which I should without issue - it'll be the first medal I've ever earned in my entire life, haha.
I'm a little concerned about the elevation change, but I know people who have done it and it seems more like a psychosomatic thing. I'm actually more concerned about the elevation changes in the course since it's relatively flat here, so I haven't been able to train much on that.