は泥だらけだった

was covered in mud

→ は
phrase Rare #42,649
was covered in mud 泥だらけ means covered or caked with mud. は marks the topic, and だった makes the phrase past tense.
JA: 靴は泥だらけだった。
EN: The shoes were covered in mud.

彼の手は泥だらけだった。

His hands were covered in mud.

トムの長靴は泥だらけだった。

Tom's rubber boots were covered in mud.

トムの手は泥だらけだった。

Tom's hands were covered in mud.

彼は泥だらけだった。

He was covered in mud.