running alone; running solo; having a large lead (over the others); being far ahead (of everyone else); having one's own way; ignoring others' opinions and acting as one wishes
state; condition; situation; appearance; circumstances
several people; a few people
to compete; to contest; to quarrel; to argue; to deny (e.g. evidence)
most likely contender; prime candidate; top prospect; leading candidate
composition (of painting); structural outline; compositional arrangement
stealing a march on; getting a head start; secretly acting before others; solo raid on an enemy's camp (for glory)
same; similar; (just) like; equal
to content oneself with; to be resigned to (one's fate); to be contented (satisfied) with (one's lot)
to chase; to run after; to pursue; subsequently; following that; (and) then
unobstructed view; perspective; forecast; outlook; insight; foresight
indescribable; having no way to express
stamina; energy; stamina-boosting (esp. of meat dishes containing raw egg yolks, garlic, Chinese chives, etc.)
part; portion; amount; worth (as in "two days' worth"); one's means; one's place; one's duty
(flight of) stone steps; stone stairway
ascent; climbing; ascending (path); upbound (esp. toward Tokyo)
opening (in a game of go, chess, etc.); early stages; initial phase; outset
to swim; to struggle through (a crowd); to make one's way through the world; to get along (in life); to totter; to lose one's balance
in contrast to ...; unlike ...; while ...; whereas ...
remaining strength; surplus energy; reserve power; money to spare
to aim at (for, to do, to become); to try for; to have an eye on; to go toward; to head for
to run up (a hill, stairs etc.); to dash up; to rush up
to attach; to join; to furnish (a house with); to wear; to put on; to keep a diary; to make an entry
preservation; retainment; keeping
single combat; duel; one-on-one fight
it seems so; that's what it looks like
inclination; slant; slope; bevel; list; dip
tough; hard; determined; strong-minded; strong (e.g. sunlight, alcohol); severe
almost; nearly; for the most part; roughly; approximately; about
pity; sympathy; compassion; affection; love
to assume the posture of praying; to press the palms and fingers of both hands together; to beg; to make a supplication; to see (something or someone of high status)
fiercely fought contest; close game (match, race, etc.); dead heat
exactly; just; right (when); just (as); just (about to); on the point of
to step firmly (on); to harden by treading
intently; single-mindedly; devotedly; solely; earnestly; with all one's heart
to have excess momentum (from going too fast, using too much force, etc.); to get carried away; to go overboard; to overdo (something)
possibly; apparently; (seem) likely; somehow or other; with difficulty; barely
condition; term; requirement; qualification; prerequisite
half; 50%; 5 parts; 5%; equality; equal footing
misunderstanding; mistaken idea; wrong guess
goal (in soccer, hockey, etc.); basket (in basketball); finish line; finishing line; reaching the finish line; finishing (a race)