I was actually maxxed before I ever went to a Cold Caller's Guild run (CCG). But now I wish I had known about them earlier.... (okay, not totally true, I saw the 4 or 5 toons when they started out and didn't go with them... is that wrong?)
Anyway, I would try to get to be friends with a ccg member of around your level and then you can work together between scheduled runs... it will make things so much smoother and easier.
I'd also recommend the ccg runs... while there is no guarantee of winning, I have definitely found you get in the elevator faster and more often than not, win (I haven't lost with ccg in my toon's lifetime... over 3 years... but obviously, that is not the norm...)
The long winded answer to your question... CCG aside, get some friends that are working on the same stuff you are, and you will be surprised at how fast it goes, it will also be a lot more fun
