Spring stretch (4)
I believe the answer is:
lent
'spring stretch' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for lent that I've seen before include "From Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday" , "Christian penitential period" , "Christian penitential season" , "Period of penance" , "Gave for a limited period" .)