Thanks and congrats on finishing it! Yes, bubble gum is needed only a few times not to overwhelm the players. It's like running in more recent Mario games. Very rarely required, but if you use it you'll get more from the game. I like it as a risky speedrun mechanic as you have much more momentum with it.
Oh and while this is my 2nd GWJ, I have participated other jams more or less every second month last year.