Mud Swim

Looking forward to training on Saturday was an understatement. I was so excited to be back with the team after missing two weeks. We pulled up to the beach and the first thought that crossed my mind was, " Wow- this is it? People actually bring their children to swim here?"
Coming from Southern California I suppose I am a bit spoiled. We have beautiful beaches there, with soft warm sand. No thoughts of slicing toes on sharp rocks, that's for sure.
After two attempts to find an entry point, we decide to hike down the beach where the rocks are less suspicious looking. The problem is that one step towards the water and you sink in the mud. The mud comes up to your calves and say good bye to the flip flop that was on your foot.
Our decision... Slide on our bellies out to the water. We looked like giant seals sliding out to the Bay. Once we were in the water, it was training time. Swim to the pier and around it. Yet, the tide was not in our favor. Every 10 strokes put us farther behind than our starting point. We swam for about 30 minutes making no dent in the distance. It was like being in an endless swimming pool.
Once the decision was made to head back to the beach, we moved quickly. The current was with us and
our return speedy.
Getting out of the water, another story. I didn't put my feet down once until the water was 6 inches in depth. There was no way that I would be sinking in the mud. It was bad enough, that our wet suits were covered in the slimy substance. One teammate even had a little sand crab crawl out of her wetsuit. Yuck!
Thank goodness there was a shower. Just enough clean water to remove the mud and prepare for our ride. Which by the way, was beautiful.