No not spacing, like I won't approach if I don't have if I have the life lead, but is that a lame way to go at that?
Hell no. I do it all the time as an Ein player. It's a valid tactic and winning via timeout is just as legit as KO.
I've honestly even come to the conclusion that if your Character has an idle animation after standing for some time, they're definitely not supposed to/not recommended to run in if you don't have to xD
That's pretty much what you're supposed to do in that situation. Approaching needlessly, then getting blown up is worse.