jump-rope ("skipping" in UK).

Growing up in NorthEast we said we were "playing jump rope"
for the game. Skipping rope was the action itself.
Skipping also means the individual act of sort of bouncing along on the toes... a kind of exaggerated happy walk ...
There is a New Englander I saw on a local TV show who skips for his daily "walk" and promotes it actively as a great form of excercise, more fun than boring old strolling and jogging.
It's hard to skip without smiling!
Now that's a recommendation. Has anyone else noticed how grim runners look?
And do any of those walkers who have "Walkmen" radios plugged in their ears EVER listen to anything happy? They all look rather glum.
Only semi-animated walkers/runners are those accompanied by a friend!
Thoughts?
wow