Sounds like this to me. Here's an idea: What if when you have three balloons attached, you run slowly? When you have a balloon popped and you are left with two, you run a bit faster. Then when you are down to your last balloon, you run at full speed. This system introduces both an advantage and disadvantage at all times, due to the connection between having more health than others and being faster than others. You could have one balloon left, but it may be easier to take down your opponents with three balloons because they can't run away as easily. Then again, you can lose with just one hit, so you have to be careful!

Again, just a thought.