Long stretches
I believe the answer is:
epochs
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">long stretches</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for epochs that I've seen before include "Divisions of geological periods" , "Divisions of a geological period" , "Remarkable period of time" , "Distinctive periods in history" , "Particular periods of time" .)