I haven't read the story in question but 7 minutes probably IS too long.

I'm a writing coach and editor-for-hire and one of the first things I tell the Medium clients I work with is that just about everything on the platform is longer than it should be.

Most 7 minute stories are 5 minute stories that need to be trimmed.

A lot of readers -- myself included -- won't bother to read your work if it runs over 5 minutes.

Okay, I'll climb back off my soapbox now.

Mazel tov on reading 1K! I enjoy reading your work and look forward to reading more of it.

But not if it runs over 5 minutes.