Running Out of Steam
Running out of steam while climbing a mountain
Last weekend, I tested out my leg for long distance cycling. I did an ‘easy’ 200km. This weekend I gave climbing a chance. I woke up late, so I wasn’t going for a long bike ride anyways. Instead, I chose to try a mountain I haven’t been to in years. I only did it once and I remember it was quite difficult. I arrived at the base of the mountain and started the journey. It was actually really easy. I was wondering why I had such a hard time before. The first time I attempted this climb, was before my legs built as much muscle as they have now. Maybe that is the reason.
The actual climb is kind of nice. The road is covered in a lot of shade, and it has a lot of turns. There also appears to be a famous walnut tree along the way with many cafes and camping sites.
In Korea, a lot of mountains are steep at the top. So, I knew things would be more difficult the further up the mountain I was. Well, I didn’t realize how steep it would get. I had a hard time pushing through a couple of the spots and eventually I ran out of steam. I had to walk up some of the mountain. I felt a little embarrassed as I crossed the peak of the mountain because there were two other cyclists there having a break. I said hello and quickly moved on.
To give you an idea of how steep the mountain was, on the way down, it only took a few seconds to get up to 50kph. And, the scariest thing to a cyclist happened. I think the scariest thing that can happen is to be heading towards a 90 degree turn and your brakes aren’t working well enough. I pulled on them as hard as I could, but they weren’t slowing me down enough. If I missed that turn, I was flying off the side of the mountain. Fortunately, they slowed me down just enough to make the turn. It is the second time that this set of brake pads has done this to me. I think it only occurs on road grades more than 20%. Next time I will have to get the good brake pads. The adrenaline was nice, but I was a bit more cautious the rest of the way down.
The meaning of running out of steam
Running out of steam means that you don’t have any more energy / power. Think about an old train (steam engine). It ran on steam. So, if it stopped producing steam, it wouldn’t have power to move. I should mention that “ran on” means “powered by” in this case. Another idiom is ‘running on fumes’. Fumes are gas vapors. If you are running on fumes, the real fuel is gone, and you only have fumes for energy. As an idiom, this means that you are almost out of energy.
Example: My car runs on gasoline. My fridge runs on electricity.
Example: I have been up working on my lesson for the last two days. I am running on fumes now.
Also, ‘running out’ (as in running out of steam) means that there is no more of that thing. Just like it was explained, there is no more steam and no more power. Running out of steam is usually used in relation to physical power, like my cycling example, but it can be applied to emotional energy or intellectual energy as well. I guess another way to say this is that running out of steam can also mean the loss of enthusiasm.
Example (physical): She ran a good race, but she ran out of steam at the end and the other runner passed her.
Example (emotional): I love you, but I think this relationship is running out of steam.
Example (intellectual): He has been studying for weeks. I fear that he is running out of steam.
The first time this phrase was used figuratively was in the newspaper, The Perry Daily Chief (1898).
See Also: Running like a well oiled machine, Just like riding a bike, Knackered, The hardest thing about cycling is just leaving the house.
For more English phrases and quotes, follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ESL-ToyBox-112152010890485
